Forest Health and Wildfire in the Issaquah Alps

by David Kappler, VP of Advocacy

King Conservation District and WSU Extension Service gave a presentation on wildfire issues impacting the Issaquah Alps at the Issaquah Library.  With 90% of fires in our area having a human related start and not from lightening we need to be aware of the increased threat wildfire presents to our community.

The forest fire threat is increasing with higher summer temperatures and drier summer conditions resulting from global climate change.  Conditions are further complicated by the increasing death of trees from lack of soil moisture and disease issues.  Cedars, hemlocks and big leaf maples are dying at a faster rate than in the past due to summer drought conditions.  Additionally, around Issaquah laminated root rot areas are expanding. The problem is apparent on and around the Tradition Lake plateau area.  This disease may take many years to kill a big Douglas fir, but combining a tree with damaged roots and less available water for the working roots to reach tree death rates are likely going to increase.

For example, about twenty large Douglas firs will be taken out of the area between the East Sunset Trailhead and the nearby abandoned railroad grade.  The patch of root rot along the Around the Lake Trail near the viewing platform overlooking Tradition Lake has significantly increased in the last few years.

Back to the concern about 90% of western Washington fires being started by humans:  keep an eye out for people being careless with campfires, fireworks and the like.  You may be wise to not confront them, but reporting them may make a big difference to our Alps.

Example of trees killed by Root Rot. Photo Credit USDA Forest Service