Photopoint FRR02 — Following Fire

Introduction to Chronosequence:

Repeated photography of the same scene over seasons and/or years has long been used by artists and scientists to document landscape change. This technique is especially relevant after major scene-changing events, such as wildfire, volcanic eruptions, and human land use activities. For this project, we selected 42 distinct photopoints that represent different forest conditions. During the first two years we photographed each photopoint 12 times in order to record the changing landscape following the fire.

Photopoint FRR02

This location is on the Finn Rock Bridge looking down the McKenzie River to the prow of an island which captured a jam of large wood floated into place before the fire. The fierce Sept 2020 wind blew a blizzard of embers down the valley, toppling trees and igniting the log jam and patches of forest on the island, valley floor, and valley walls. Note changes in the log jam at the front of the island as new pieces of uncharred wood are floated into place. Fire-killed hardwood trees on the upstream end of the island begin to break and fall. Herbs and shrubs, especially willow on the gravel bar, sprout vigorously. We picked this photopoint for its expected dynamism and the vantage point provided by the bridge.

12/20 The log jam burned, scorching the hardwood trees on the prow of the island. Some tall Douglas fir on the left bank, island, and right remain green.

06/21 The river is high and up into the willows on the gravel bar. Hardwood trees have lush foliage except for trees cooked by the log jam fire.

09/21 River flow has dropped. Lots of summer greenery on the forst floor, riverbanks, and riparian alders. Orange foliage signals effects of June heat dome. Air is smoky from nearby fires.

01/22 Winter greenery is found only on the big Douglas fir. A large log has been added to the jam. On the far right some vehicles are stopped at a roadblock as tree removal continues.

08/22 Willow on the bar, understory on the island, and river-side trees are vigorous. Note green forest patches on the distant hillslope.

11/22 Willows on the gravel bar and understory vegetation are in fall color. Wood floated from upriver has been added to the jam.

10/23 Wind toppled the two big Douglas firs on the right. Vegetation development proceeds, as does collapse of dead hardwood trees on the island.