Photo by Brain Davis

(9/26/2024)

In 2013, California’s Rim Fire scorched over 250,000 acres, igniting a worrying trend of megafires across the West. Fast forward almost a decade later to 2021, and we witnessed another landmark moment in wildfire history as the Caldor Fire became the first to breach the Sierra crest. It burned through the Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort and entered the Lake Tahoe Basin, impacting and threatening many beloved winter destinations.

The Vulnerability of Our Snow-Covered Forests

It’s difficult to imagine winter wonderlands ablaze, but these events highlight a stark reality: even our winter landscapes are vulnerable to the devastating effects of wildfires and climate change. As these forces reshape our forests and snowscapes, it’s vital for land managers and winter recreationists to consider the implications of these changes. Here are some pressing questions we should be asking ourselves:

• Access and Boundaries: Has the loss of vegetation created new access points, potentially leading to boundary violations that weren’t an issue before the fire?
• Post-Fire Resource Impacts: What new challenges are arising? Post-fire soils can be particularly sensitive—are the current minimum snow depths sufficient to protect these fragile areas?
• Wildlife Concerns: How are local wildlife adapting? Are we adding undue stress to sensitive species at a challenging and critical time of year? With less vegetation on the landscape, does the sound of a snowmobile travel further?

A New Era of Management Considerations

These concerns extend beyond California; communities and winter ecosystems across the West are grappling with similar challenges. Rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns are reducing snowpack and increasing the frequency of snow droughts nationwide. For example, the Pacific Northwest has experienced less reliable snowpack and less snowfall, limiting opportunities for snow-based activities.

The unprecedented combination of large wildfires, climate change, and the growing popularity of winter recreation calls for fresh management strategies. As forests continue to adopt and implement over-snow vehicle use management plans, it’s imperative that we ensure winter recreation has a seat at the table in these critical discussions.

At Winter Wildlands Alliance, we are committed to advocating for climate change solutions and forest management plans that enhance the resilience and accessibility of our snowscapes. Join us in this vital work—explore our initiatives, get involved in local conservation efforts, and help ensure our winter landscapes thrive for years to come.