NorCal wildfires sweep over parts of San Pablo Bay NWR
NorCal wildfires swept over parts of San Pablo Bay NWR from October 9 through 11, 2017. Credit Google Maps.
Wildfires sweeping the wine country in northern California destroyed 222 acres of refuge land at the Sears Point Unit of the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge on October 11, 2017. A back burn conducted two days earlier by the Lakeville Volunteer Fire Department on the 5 acre compound of the refuge headquarters ensured that all the structures there survived intact.
A large grass fire broke out in the pre-dawn hours of Monday October 9 north of Highway 37 that borders the San Pablo Bay NWR. Novato Fire Protection District officials closed Highway 37 between Highway 121 and Lakeville Highway shortly after 3 a.m. to allow firefighters safe access.
A grass fire swept Cougar Mountain, north of Highway 37 in the wee hours of October 9, 2017. Credit Wendy Eliot, Sonoma Land Trust.
The grass fire on Cougar Mountain, as viewed from Highway 37 at 7:10 a.m. on October 9, 2017. Credit Faruk Kugay via Instagram.
Jim Dolcini, a livestock operator whose cattle grazes on refuge land to promote healthy ground cover and wildlife habitat, arrived at the refuge offices around 3 a.m. to find fire engines conducting a back burn of fuels around the compound.
Satellite view of the 5 acre compound that houses the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge offices at 2100 Sears Point Road, Sonoma CA 95476. Credit Google Maps 2017.
The San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge offices, as seen at noon on October 9, 2017, after the back burn of the 5 acre compound. Credit Wendy Eliot, Sonoma Land Trust.
The grass fire quickly burned between 80 to 100 acres of Sonoma county. By 10 a.m. it had been fully contained and Highway 37 was re-opened in both directions. No structures were ever threatened, Novato Fire District officials said.
Later that same day, another fire started nearby. Dubbed the "37 Fire" because of its location between Highway 37 and Lakeville Highway, it consumed 1,660 acres over 3 days, of which 222 acres were at the Sears Point Unit of the San Pablo Bay NWR.
Marin County Fire Department crews of Engine #1566 and Water Tender #1596 put out a blaze from the 37 Fire west of the San Pablo Bay NWR offices on October 10, 2017. Credit Don Brubaker, U.S FWS.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service crew of Fire Engine #3152 from the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge joins in to help put out a blaze from the 37 Fire west of the San Pablo Bay NWR offices on October 10, 2017. Credit Don Brubaker, U.S FWS.
By October 11, 2017 the 37 Fire had consumed 222 acres of the San Pablo Bay NWR land on Sears Point Unit and only a few wisps of smoke remained. Credit Don Brubaker, U.S FWS.
For Don Brubaker, refuge manager of the San Pablo Bay NWR, assessing the damage suffered during the fire and its subsequent suppression is the next order of business. He estimates that some 1,660 feet of fencing along with 7 gates will need replacement or repair. He is optimistic that the wildlife at the refuge will adapt well to the burnt out conditions.
“After the first inch of rain, ya won't know that such a trauma happened.”
Don Brubaker, refuge manager of the San Pablo Bay NWR, estimates that some 1,660 feet of fencing along with 7 gates will need replacement or repair. Credit Don Brubaker, U.S FWS.
Birds at the San Pablo Bay NWR survey the damage wrought by the 37 Fire. Credit Don Brubaker, U.S FWS.
An owl roosts on the ashes of the fire at the San Pablo Bay NWR. Credit Don Brubaker, U.S FWS.
Cattle roam the charred grazing land at the San Pablo Bay NWR. Credit Don Brubaker, U.S FWS.
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Tide Rising
Tide Rising is a quarterly, digital newsletter published by the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society with information about the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex and its seven Refuges.
