Submitted by KM Hills.
Just over two weeks ago Ft Steilacoom Park not only caught fire, but also the attention of Lakewood City residenets.
After walking through and exploring, the fire damaged area, I am impressed the fire did not spread more than pictured. Looking across the lake the burned area does not look that large. I read the fire consumed 10 acres and later learned the park consists of over 350+ acres. Up close the burned area looks much larger. In one of the pictures you can see what appears to be a firepit and not pictured there was what appeared to be a burn barrel. Both make me wonder what the cause of the fire was.
When you witness how close the fire came to local homes, it becomes evident the amazing response the fire crews had to manage this event.
There clearly has been a lack of significant rain this summer; however, even with the small amount, over the last two weeks, the grasses have begun regrowing.
Part of the natural cycle of regeneration. When you foil nature’s plan it can come back with a fury.
THANKS for your observations, report, photos.
Not sure what immediate lessons emerge, other than that we can all be grateful for community, parks, West Pierce Fire & Rescue response, and alert neighbors, thoughtful about benefits of nature and mindful of safe regard.
Excellent article and accompanying photographs.
It will be interesting to see what heavy winter rains do to the stability of burn area soil and the released nutrients that will dissolve, infiltrate into the ground, be conveyed subsurface and then discharge into now courtesy of the City of Lakewood aluminum, sulfate and sulfide polluted Waughop Lake.
Grass loves a fresh-burned landscape.
Might be a good opportunity to get ahead of the scotchbroom problem.
New grass 3” to 4” is sprouting everywhere. By next year I predict this will be the healthiest part of the park.