BLM Carrying Out Extensive Reforestation Project In McKenzie River Corridor

KLCC | By Brian Bull

Published May 16, 2021 at 7:17 PM PDT

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Photo provided by Jennifer O'Leary

A multimillion dollar effort is underway across the McKenzie River Corridor, to replace burnt acreage from last September’s Holiday Farm Fire.

More than 173,000 acres were consumed by the fire, which charred the landscape as well as communities like Blue River.

Becca Brooke of the Bureau of Land Management, near the Delta Campground site.

Credit Brian Bull / KLCC

About a mile from the Holiday Farm Fire’s flashpoint, Becca Brooke of the Bureau of Land Management surveys the terrain. Small green sprouts are emerging from the black earth in many areas.

Brooke said that’s nature rebounding, but the BLM is also growing seedlings for a reforestation effort that’ll last five to ten years.

“On BLM lands during the Holiday Farm Fire, we had about 18,000 acres that burned," said Brooke.

"And of that we’ll reforest 14,000 acres, so we usually plant 200 acres per year. And into the future, we’re looking at 3,000 acres a year., so it’s a huge increase in our reforestation efforts following this fire.”

The estimated expense is $10 million to $15 million.

The Walter. H. Horning Tree Seed Orchard outside Portland, which has provided trees for roughly 50 years. The BLM and partners have planted seeds to reforest areas with Douglas-fir, western white pine, sugar pine, western hemlock, western redcedar, and noble fir that will provide shade, recreation, and timber.

Credit Bureau of Land Management / Flickr.com