From The Adirondacks
Fire is a concern in any wilderness area. It can ravage a forest of its beauty and force wildlife to flee their natural habitat. The importance of fire prevention needs to be a part of every visitor to the Adirondacks. Know where fires are allowed and be ready to act appropriately for changing weather.
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Turn of the century history
The Adirondacks are no stranger to wildfires. The High Peaks consist of a more arid and dry area than other parts of the Adirondacks. In the early 1900’s several fires blazed through the area, one of them burning 600,000 acres in 1903 after a 70+ day drought in early spring.
Just five years later the worst fire in Adirondack history would roar through not only the mountains but the towns nearby as well. According to the Adirondack Museum [1] these fires would continue on and off for four months. The fires destroyed the entire town of what used to be Long Lake West, which is now called Sabattis. It was a series of events that would not be forgotten.
The worst fire in Adirondack history
On September 9, 1908 loggers and locomotives were a way of life. Fire prevention was not a concern of most people and that included the logging and locomotive industry. The worst fire in Adirondack history wouldn’t be started by a lightning storm or even a cigarette but rather a locomotive that shot off a spark into the dry tinder. From there the Adirondack Museum documents that the fire blazed through the town of Long Lake West melting railroad track, barrels of nails and igniting a warehouse that contained 50 barrels of kerosene as well as 1500 lbs of dynamite.
Changes in fire prevention
The fires of the early 1900s began to show people the importance of fire prevention rather than response. In 1909 laws began to be passed with restrictions on what and when locomotives could burn oil. Times when they were allowed to travel through the region was restricted. Laws also required logging companies to limb branches. New fire surveillance monitoring was also put into place. Many of these laws are now the basis for the Fire Danger levels currently in use.
Fire towers were also constructed and were used for several decades until the 1970s when air surveillance began. The original towers had a telephone, map and binoculars. As a fire or smoke was spotted the lookout would call the forest ranger with the location. Once air surveillance began the fire tower use has been discontinued due to cost and maintenance of the structures [2] .
There have been fires since the devastating ones of the early 1900s but due to the measures taken none have been as bad.
Fire seasons
Since the air and land tend to be more arid and dry in the High Peaks fire danger is a very real concern. Fire seasons are spring and fall in the area. The spring melts from the previous winters snow provides some relief -but only until the leaves that had fallen dry up and become easy tinder for any spark. Fall also presents its own challenges. Summers can be very dry so when the leaves again fall they are a hazard as well. Fall is also a very popular hiking season since most of the summer bugs have disappeared and the cooler temperatures make it more comfortable for hiking. This increase in people in the area also increases the likelihood of fires started by humans.
For current conditions visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/9198.html.
Campfires in the High Peaks Wilderness
Campfires are not allowed in the Eastern High Peaks region. In the Western High Peaks region campfires are limited to designated areas or at least 150 feet from any road, trail or water source [3]