Despite the technology that allows us to take a “virtual tour” around the watershed, nothing can replace truly being there. As part of the Upper Sevier Community Watershed Project, numerous landowners as well as resource personnel looked at the Sanford fire and its effects first-hand.

Participants had the opportunity to see both the negative and positive effects of the fire. Traveling up the Cottonwood Road, towards Mount Dutton, resprouting aspen and native grasses are sprouting throughout the area. However, evidence of the flood following the fire can still be seen.

“You will see a lot of black in the drainages,” said Kim Soper, Fire Management Officer. “But you will see a lot of aspen coming in. The meadows are coming in nice. The elk have just come right back in. And one thing that is nice about the aspen, is that when it starts growing it ‘fire proofs’ the area because of its low burn potential.”

One participant, a rancher from Panguitch commented on another prescribed burn and seeding project that had responded nicely. He felt that if the Sanford responds similar to this burn (near the Alan Henrie ranch) then, “they need to set more matches on fire.”

Tour participants see firsthand the effects of the fire.

Many participants expressed concern over the future conditions of the Sanford upon which many have cattle and sheep allotments. In response to the fire, several range allotments were closed, and livestock relocated to another allotment. In addition, due to drought conditions, many ranchers voluntarily removed livestock from allotments early. “It is amazing how fast nature can get things going again,” commented a local rancher, who looks forward to future restoration and grazing within the Sanford area.

Of help to local ranchers will be the 2002 Farm Bill. “Funding from this will be a tremendous benefit to the watershed. It will be locally driven, and there is a lot of benefit to that,” said Tyce Palmer, Utah Natural Resources Conservation District. “This will be our best way to get work done on this watershed.”

Participants completed the tour with a first-hand look at Paul Martinez’ property located along the Upper Sevier River, through Black Canyon. Floods, following the fire, have created large amounts of sediment into the Upper Sevier River and temporarily destroyed the brown trout fishery in the river.