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Andrews Forest Monthly Meeting April 2024

Event Date: 
Friday, April 5, 2024
Event Brief Description: 

Andrews Forest Monthly Meeting: Friday, April 5,  9-11 AM

Presentations:

  • "Federal Regulations and Archeological Resources: Best Practices for Conducting Research in the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest" presented by Steven Highland, Heritage Program Manager (Forest Archeologist) and Tribal Liaison, Willamette National Forest
  • "New Fire and Forest Development Histories in Moist Douglas-fir Forests" presented by Andrew Merschel, ORISE Postdoctoral Scholar with USFS PNW Research Station.
  • Graduate student lightning talk: "The Influence of Network Contraction and Expansion on Dissolved Oxygen Synchrony" presented by Jasmine Krause, Ph.D. candidate, Water Resources Science, OSU

After our presentations, at 10 AM, we will move into our community meeting, which includes updates on graduate student activities, site, WNF, community, education, new faces, and recent publications.

PFSC 315. Contact Lina DiGregorio for Zoom link.

Our meetings follow the academic year. Upcoming meetings: April 5 (Peavy 315), May 3 (Peavy 315), and June 7 (Peavy 315).

 

David Paul Bayles Exhibit and Artist Talk Jan 27

Event Date: 
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Event Brief Description: 

You’re invited to an artist talk by David Paul Bayles, as he discusses his work on “Following Fire: A Resilient Forest / An Uncertain Future.” Bayles focuses on landscapes where the needs of forests and human pursuits often collide, sometimes coexist and on occasion find harmony. Some of his projects utilize a documentary approach while others use a more contemporary art practice.

Blue Sky Gallery. 122 NW 8th Ave, Portland, Oregon

RESCHEDULED:  Artist Talk: Saturday, January 27, 1:30  p.m.

Exhibit: through January 27. Hours Wednesday to Saturday, 12 to 5 PM. 

 

This project is supported by the Spring Creek Project, the Phillip and Edith Leonian Foundation, the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest, and the McKenzie River Trust.

Following Fire

Submitted by Lina on Tue, 10/03/2023 - 09:06

The Lookout Fire, as with the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire before it, triggers a rush of emotions and a deep sense of loss – maybe even a sense of guilt when we drop into thoughts of science opportunities when so much seems gone and never to “recover” in our lifetime.  What will we find when we get to experience our favorite places in their newly burned state?  How will the ecosystem respond over the coming few years?  The on-going Following Fire: A Resilient Forest | An Uncertain Future project in the Holiday Farm Fire area of McKenzie

Long-Term Vegetation Plots

Submitted by Lina on Fri, 09/22/2023 - 12:04

Studying forest dynamics takes decades, even centuries. The western Cascade Mountains of Oregon, including the H. J. Andrews Experimental Forest, harbor centuries-old stands of old-growth forests, which are known for their high biomass, complex structure, and multi-layered forest canopies. In 1971, scientists established multiple permanent sample plots across the H. J. Andrews Experimental Forest and elsewhere in the region, largely to study old-growth forest ecosystems. Scientists continue to visit the plots every year.

Weather Stations

Submitted by Lina on Fri, 09/22/2023 - 11:58

For the past few days, the Lookout Fire has been burning around one of our remote weather stations, Upper Lookout (UPLMET), and is nearing a second, Central (CENMET). Fortunately, as of the time of this post (August 21), the UPLMET station continues to send useful weather data over our network of radio relays. The first weather stations at HJA were installed to aid research on logging methods starting in 1952. Three more stations were added over time. Today we maintain seven weather stations spread out to capture the environment across the entire research forest.

Carpenter Mountain Fire Lookout

Submitted by Lina on Fri, 09/22/2023 - 11:29

Rob Mutch, the USFS Fire Lookout stationed on Carpenter Mountain, was on duty on August 5 and was the first to spot the tell-tale waft of smoke from the flank of Lookout Mountain, following the lightning storm on August 5. Rob, who is also a professional photographer, shared photos of the fire a week later, as conditions caused a massive column of smoke. For safety, Rob was moved from his station on Carpenter Mountain and is now assisting other USFS fire lookouts in the area.

HJA closure due to fire

News Brief Description: 

From Paul Anderson, Station Director of the USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station, 8/10/2023:

"The Lookout Mountain fire within the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest continues to elude containment as fuel loading, topography, and access limitations impede mitigation and suppression efforts. Researcher and staff access to the upper watersheds within the forest have the potential to impede fire operations activity and exacerbate personnel safety concerns. With the forecast showing increasing temperatures combined with lack of containment I am directing that all researchers (Forest Service, university, and any other recognized research partners or collaborators) and staff access to the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest will be constrained in the following ways:

  • As of 17:00, Thursday, August 10, 2023, all field activities, accessed by road or trail, by foot or vehicle, are to cease throughout the experimental forest and will not resume until further notice as provided by the site manager, Mark Schulze.
  • Researchers and staff temporarily housed in HJ Andrews facilities will vacate the premises and headquarters compounds by 17:00, Sunday, August 13, 2023. Facilities and compound grounds will remain vacated untill further notice as provided by the site manager, Mark Schulze.

Exceptions to this directive are limited to staff or researchers working in direct service to and at the request of fire operations staff, as vetted by Nora Miebach and as coordinated through the site manager Mark Schulze and Lead Scientist Brooke Penaluna.

The timing of field access and facilities use restrictions may change or be accelerated by further decisions of fire operations staff, the District Ranger, or the PNW Station Director.

These measures are undertaken to promote the safety of all persons, researchers and fire operations, and facilities in a dynamic fire situation. Your cooperation is very much appreciated.

Lookout Fire Update August 7 2023

News Brief Description: 

Notice:  A lightning strike fire started on Saturday, August 5, within the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest, between the base of Lookout cliff and the ridge dividing Lookout and Mack Creek drainages.  As of today, August 7, the fire is 2.5 acres. Two helicopters are traveling between the Blue River reservoir and the fire carrying water. The plan is to keep knocking back the fire until ground crews can get a line around it and contain it.  It is burning in steep terrain, in old growth with dense understory, which is making it a challenge for experienced ground crews.  In addition to the helicopters, a hotshot crew has been assigned to the fire, most likely starting August 8. 

Check the Eugene Interagency Communications Office for updates on size and containment.

Researchers and the public are advised to stay out of the area, including the Lookout Old Growth trail, to allow fire crews space and access. We are anticipating a fire closure on site.

Researchers and public should be ready to evacuate if we move to a level 1 evacuation level.  Anyone working on site should have a radio on at all times.

All further updates will be posted to https://andrewsforest.oregonstate.edu/about/news-events/lookout-fire-updates-2023 

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