I cover this area as a habitat biologist for WDFW and while there may be a few patches of big sagebrush left, I have toured much of the fire area and most of it looks similar to what you see from the Vantage Highway. I did my MS on Sage Thrashers in this area 20+ years ago and it is heartbreaking to see most of the big sagebrush gone. It hopefully will recover, but big sagebrush is generally at least 20 years before it becomes good habitat for our obligates.
Here is a link to the fire footprint:
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-maps-gallery/wases-vantage-highway#vantage-highway-fire-map-8/11/2022-133687Scott Downes
Downess at charter.net
Yakima Wa
On Apr 27, 2023, at 3:38 PM, Scott Ramos wrote:
If you park at the east entrance to Quilomene WRA, then hike to the top of the hill, there is plenty of intact sage. I was there on March 11, as were Sagebrush Sparrow.
Scott Ramos
Seattle
Sent from my iPhone
On Apr 27, 2023, at 2:32 PM, mary hrudkaj wrote:
Earlier this month I stopped at Quilomene and saw the fire devastation. In speaking with the folks at the Vantage rock shop the fire that decimated Quilomene was part of a 77,000-acre wildfire last year. The fire burned almost to the Wild Horse Wind Farm
and north all the way to Wenatchee. A driver of a less that street worthy old car lost an axel or something under his car and sparks from it as he pulled off the road set the fire. Fortunately, there were no human injuries. Untold devastation though to
range land and wildlife habitat. Nary a bluebird or other feathered creature was to be seen or heard when we were there on April 11.
Mary Hrudkaj
Belfair/Tahuya
From: Tweeters on behalf of Hans-Joachim Feddern
Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2023 1:25 PM
To: Tweeters
Subject: [Tweeters] Quilomene WMA
I used to stop at the access to the Quilomene WMA off Old Vantage Road to look for "Sage" birds and thought it was a great spot. Much to my surprise, when I tried to stop there the other day, I found that all the sagebrush was gone! I almost
missed the entrance! Now i know of the recent large wildfires in that area, but this spot was not touched by them. It seems all brush was removed all the way down to the Columbia River.
When did this happen? I had not been there since last spring, but never heard anything about it in the news! This is a major habit loss for many species, including the endangered Sage Grouse.
Another great birding spot lost is Birders Corner. There is very little water left and appears that the landowner is trying to reclaim it to graze cattle.
Hans
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