April 4 , 2008

Contacts: Sonya Hem, Nevada Land Conservancy, 775-851-5180
or Lynda Nelson: 775-823-6511

Alum Creek Trail to close next week as crews remove fire damaged trees

Volunteers needed to help plant new trees

RENO, Nev. – The Alum Creek Trail above Caughlin Ranch will be closed from Monday, April 7 through Thursday, April 10 while Sierra Fire Protection crews remove 30 hazardous trees as part of ongoing efforts to restore the area damaged by last year's Hawken Fire. Media looking for updates on next week's tree removal may contact Sierra Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Michael Heikka at 775-721-2632

For every tree removed next week, five new trees will be planted later in the month.

Volunteers are needed to help plant the new trees on Saturday, April 26.

To volunteer, contact Sonya Hem with the Nevada Land Conservancy at 775-851-5180.

In July 2007, the Hawken Fire devastated 2,700 acres in southwest Reno, 72% on federal land and 28% on private land. With the input of federal, state and county agencies, a plan has been created to rehabilitate soils and restore critical habitat in the burn area.

This plan includes treatments to stabilize soils, clearing of stream channels, construction of sediment basins, removing hazardous trees and replanting with Ponderosa and Jeffrey pine trees, erecting fences and signage, and reseeding more than 500 acres of damaged wildland.