The recent Knoll Fire in the McKenzie River Corridor threatened a fisheries restoration project in nearby Deer Creek.
On a recent survey of the fire damage, Darren Cross. acting deputy Forest Supervisor for the Willamette National Forest, pointed out what is essentially a man-caused landslide. Cross said the Knoll Fire came very close when it first started in early August.
“Of course, during the fire this was a real concern for us because there’s a lot of wood, a lot dry wood, and not a lot of water on the surface of Deer Creek right now," Cross explained.
"We’re thankful that we’re able to hold the fire on this fire line without affecting or harming the restoration work that was just recently completed.”
The densely-clustered trees and rocks will provide an ideal habitat for Chinook salmon once waters rise and course through the restoration site in the spring.
Similar projects are near Finn Rock and the southern fork of the McKenzie River.
The Knoll Fire is now in the mop-up and monitor phase.
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