burn
Burned area on high barrens is visible to the SW from "The Camp" on north side of Purcell's Pond.

burn
Closer view

Halifax Field Naturalists

Capt. Arnell Conservation Lands
Post-Fire Photos May 15, '09

On May 15,'09 Bob M., Phil S. and I (David P.) walked the trail into Flat Lake to look at fire damage. The burned area is largely jack pine granite barrens. Jack pine, black spruce, fir, birch, red maple are (or were) the most common trees in the burned areas; shrubs: witherod, huckleberry; ground vegetation: tea berry, broom crowberry, reindeer lichens. The vegetation large and small was totally burned, but the duff (humic) layer was only superficially burned so there should be some regeneration from rhizomes, as well as from buried seed. There were many jack pine cones on the ground and recently released jack pine seeds could be seen as well. The burned areas stopped abruptly at junctions with low, wet areas.

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Use of Photos

Some unburned barrens (before we got into the
burned area).
Beginning of the burned area.


The compacted, wettish trail was
largely unburned.
Typical barrens burn.

Lily-like plant, likely pink lady's slipper; one site
only, somewhat sheltered
Fern (likely bracken fern); a number sighted.



Cones of black spruce
Jack pine cone, several winged seeds
are visible on the ground.



Area of huckleberry, typically burned off at base. Brown area disturbed with boot to show non-burned duff
Broom crowberry.



Flat Lake in distance. Brown patches are sphagnum areas.
Clump of sphagnum



By Flat Lake - Sept 23, 2007. (HFN Field Trip)
May 15, 2009.

Across the lake.
Lake edge.

Fire Photos Home Page