Natural Role of Fire -- Sotol Vista, Big Bend NP TX
N 29° 12.873 W 103° 22.617
13R E 657768 N 3232847
A small sign at the Sotol Vista teaches about the natural role of fore in a desert environment
Waymark Code: WMTZZC
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 01/30/2017
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The Sotol Vista overlook is a great place to look out over the Chuhuahuan desert, and enjoy some of the park's most famous features, such as Goat Mountain.
This sign at the Sotol Vista teaches visitors about the natural role of fire, and why park rangers let a wildfire burn in 1981, as follows:
"THE NATURAL ROLE OF FIRE
On June 10, 1981, a fire was ignited when lightning struck a sotol plant not far from where you are standing. Fanned by winds associated with the thunderstorm, the fire began to spread and move down the slope. Because naturally-caused fires maintain the diversity pf a natural ecosystem, it was closely monitored and allowed to burn.
After several days the fire burned itself out, as it would have nearly 200 years ago before "man-the-firefighter" entered the scene. A total of 680 acres (275.3 hectares) were involved, but the fire burned in a mosaic pattern, leafing many "islands" of green.
With the nutrients released by the fore, revegetation began immediately. Within a few years, grasses and cacti will again cover the area, providing fresh forage for the many animals that have already moved back.
Naturally-occurring fores cannot be defined as wither "bad" or "good" -- they are simply natural and as much a part of the ecosystem as sun, rain, wind, and flood."
Visit Instructions:
Take a photo of yourself (and others) at the waymark and feel free to share any additional information or that is not contained on the sign or your experience generally.