Foresters work to stave off fire by Paul Janney, Outpost contributor In this package Crystal Peak bounces back from fire A concern from the beginning of the Crystal Peak rehabilitation process was the lack of rain in the area. Drought was a primary concern. A wet winter in 1996-97 has helped alleviate some drought concerns, although fire officials warn that fuel in the Tahoe and Toiyabe National Forests in the form of dry trees and brush remains plentiful. U.S. Forest Service fire rehabilitation expert Karen Jones said pine seedlings planted in the year following the Crystal Peak fire are showing positive signs. ``Two-year-old pine seedlings are already growing,'' Jones said. ``We have also seen a large population of woodpeckers in the area.'' Preventing a future fire is also part of the rehab process. Limiting fuel to future fires is part of the Forest Service's long-term strategy. ``Long-term, we have reduced fuels in the area,''Jones said. ``We can also do a better job in managing the vegetation so there are not a lot of dead trees. That way we hopefull won't have a large catastrophic event again.'' Posted Dec. 16, 1997 Copyright 1997 Nevada Outpost TOP | PREVIOUS Nevada Outpost is produced by students at the Reynolds School of Journalism, University of Nevada, Reno Copyright 1999 Nevada Outpost http://www.jour.unr.edu/outpost