The Plumas National Forest is located in the Sierra Nevada mountains of Northern California, covering over 1 million acres of land. It is known for its diverse landscapes, including mountain peaks, lakes, rivers, and forests. The forest is managed by the United States Forest Service and offers a variety of recreational opportunities for visitors to enjoy.
The Plumas National Forest is an important ecological area, providing habitat for a wide range of plant and animal species. The forest plays a key role in maintaining biodiversity in the region and supporting healthy ecosystems. It also helps to regulate local climate, purify air and water, and provide recreational opportunities for visitors.
Additionally, the forest is home to several endangered species, including the California spotted owl and the Sierra Nevada red fox. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these species and their habitats within the forest.
In conclusion, the Plumas National Forest is a beautiful and diverse landscape that is of great ecological significance. It provides habitat for a variety of plant and animal species, supports healthy ecosystems, and offers recreational opportunities for visitors to enjoy.
Description: Ground fuels are burning at a low intensity within the Ingalls prescribed burn project. (Courtesy photo by Marty Senter)
Image by Pacific Southwest Region 5 – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: Ingalls prescribed burn as seen from road anchor point. Ground vegetation is burning nicely. If and when a wildfire comes through, this fuel break will be a big help to firefighters. (Courtesy photo by Marty Senter)
Image by Pacific Southwest Region 5 – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: The Matchstick Forest experiment demonstrates how topography influences fire behavior. QUINCY, Calif., November 7, 2017 — For Immediate Release. Plumas Unified School District (PUSD) science teachers are using an exciting new fire science curriculum to ignite students’ passion for science. The Sierra Nevada FireWorks curriculum about the science of wildland fire was developed as a collaboration among PUSD, Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory (of the U.S. Forest Service’s Rocky Mountain Research Station), and the Plumas National Forest. While the curriculum for the Sierra Nevada is brand new, many activities were adapted from the original FireWorks educational program, published in 2000. The new curriculum has been pilot-tested in many science classes and is now available for free online at <a href="https://www.frames.gov/fireworks/curriculum/sierra-nevada" rel="nofollow">www.frames.gov/fireworks/curriculum/sierra-nevada</a>. Many activities require associated materials such as posters, hardware, and plant specimens. Digital materials can be downloaded and printed from the website, while other materials are available in FireWorks trunks. Trunks of materials have been provided to teachers at PUSD school sites. FireWorks is a valuable tool to all educators, interpreters, and fire prevention specialists. Activities provide students with interactive, hands-on materials to study wildland fire and local ecology. Many of the activities are applicable wherever wildland fires occur, however, many are specialized for the Sierra Nevada. To get a flavor for what takes place in the classroom: students learn how ladder fuels affect fire spread from the forest floor to the tops of trees in the Tinker Tree Derby. Students design model trees using metal stands and newspaper ‘leaves’ and then light a fire beneath their tree. Winning trees survive the fire with plenty of unburned leaves so they can still photosynthesize. Experiments with the Matchstick Forest Model examine how slope, density of trees, and other variables affect fire spread. Rob Wade, PUSD outdoor educator has this to say about FireWorks, “It has been a great experience working with the team during the past couple of years. They really have transformed this idea into a meaningful, relevant curriculum for our teachers. We couldn’t be more pleased and are excited to integrate it district-wide this year.” - more – Ilana Abrahamson, Ecologist with Missoula Fire Sciences Lab added, “This program offers exciting, hands-on activities for students to learn about Sierra Nevada ecosystems and the role of wildland fire. It resulted from a rewarding collaboration, and PUSD teachers provided valuable feedback about the activities and instruction. The result is a fun and robust program for educators and students to use throughout the Sierra Nevada.” See the Sierra Nevada FireWorks brochure for more information or contact Rob Wade, rwade@pcoe.k12.ca.us or Ilana Abrahamson, ilanalabrahamson@fs.fed.us.
Image by Pacific Southwest Region 5 – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: Teachers experimenting with Tinker Tree Derby, one of the lessons in the FireWorks curriculum. QUINCY, Calif., November 7, 2017 — For Immediate Release. Plumas Unified School District (PUSD) science teachers are using an exciting new fire science curriculum to ignite students’ passion for science. The Sierra Nevada FireWorks curriculum about the science of wildland fire was developed as a collaboration among PUSD, Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory (of the U.S. Forest Service’s Rocky Mountain Research Station), and the Plumas National Forest. While the curriculum for the Sierra Nevada is brand new, many activities were adapted from the original FireWorks educational program, published in 2000. The new curriculum has been pilot-tested in many science classes and is now available for free online at <a href="https://www.frames.gov/fireworks/curriculum/sierra-nevada" rel="nofollow">www.frames.gov/fireworks/curriculum/sierra-nevada</a>. Many activities require associated materials such as posters, hardware, and plant specimens. Digital materials can be downloaded and printed from the website, while other materials are available in FireWorks trunks. Trunks of materials have been provided to teachers at PUSD school sites. FireWorks is a valuable tool to all educators, interpreters, and fire prevention specialists. Activities provide students with interactive, hands-on materials to study wildland fire and local ecology. Many of the activities are applicable wherever wildland fires occur, however, many are specialized for the Sierra Nevada. To get a flavor for what takes place in the classroom: students learn how ladder fuels affect fire spread from the forest floor to the tops of trees in the Tinker Tree Derby. Students design model trees using metal stands and newspaper ‘leaves’ and then light a fire beneath their tree. Winning trees survive the fire with plenty of unburned leaves so they can still photosynthesize. Experiments with the Matchstick Forest Model examine how slope, density of trees, and other variables affect fire spread. Rob Wade, PUSD outdoor educator has this to say about FireWorks, “It has been a great experience working with the team during the past couple of years. They really have transformed this idea into a meaningful, relevant curriculum for our teachers. We couldn’t be more pleased and are excited to integrate it district-wide this year.” - more – Ilana Abrahamson, Ecologist with Missoula Fire Sciences Lab added, “This program offers exciting, hands-on activities for students to learn about Sierra Nevada ecosystems and the role of wildland fire. It resulted from a rewarding collaboration, and PUSD teachers provided valuable feedback about the activities and instruction. The result is a fun and robust program for educators and students to use throughout the Sierra Nevada.” See the Sierra Nevada FireWorks brochure for more information or contact Rob Wade, rwade@pcoe.k12.ca.us or Ilana Abrahamson, ilanalabrahamson@fs.fed.us.
Image by Pacific Southwest Region 5 – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: Worker from Scales Blister Rust Control Camp digging out Ribes plant. King's Meadow. Plumas National Forest, California. Photo by: Robert Overstree Date: August 24, 1945 Credit: National Archives and Records Administration RG# 95-GP. Records of the Forest Service. General Subject Files. USDA Forest Service Negative Number: 437388 NARA Image: 95-GP-5032-Box0851_009_001_AC Image provided by USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, State and Private Forestry, Forest Health Protection: <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/r6/forest-grasslandhealth" rel="nofollow">www.fs.usda.gov/main/r6/forest-grasslandhealth</a>
Image by R6, State & Private Forestry, Forest Health Protection – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: Frazier Creek Falls - Plumas National Forest - California Middle Fork Feather River Elevation - 6000 feet Cascade - 248 feet Height - 176 feet
Image by Jengod – CC BY-SA 4.0 – Wikimedia
Description: Hiking trail in the Sierra Nevada, in the Plumas National Forest, California U.S.
Image by U S Forest Service – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: Plumas National Forest, Quincy, Kalifornia 95971, Stany Zjednoczone
Image by Janusz Cimoszuk – CC BY-SA 3.0 – Wikimedia
Description: A Sierra Nevada newt in the Plumas National Forest
Image by Derek Curry – CC BY-SA 2.0 – Wikimedia