1. Finley Burn salvage sale
Ranger’s picture of proposed salvage area
The picture on the top left is a salvage sale area photographed by Ranger Mike Liu in a thinned unit in Finley Canyon. But salvage would remove the big trees that protect soils from flooding. Failure to consider the risks of flooding is demonstrated in this presentation, photographed after mid-August storms (bottom left), and storms on August 21 (bottom right).
Same area after mid-August
(weeds indicate orientation)
August 21 storm damage

2. Details of the salvage sale area
Above image shows pre-fire
thinning unit boundary
The location of the Finley treated areas marked for salvage is shown on the maps above.

3. Finley Salvage flood hazards
Waypoint 119 looking south
Debris flows from the canyon walls liquefied and spread out across the valley floor.

4. Finley Salvage flood hazards
Waypoint 120
Retention of even small trees would help absorb flood energy.

5. Finley Salvage flood hazards
Waypoint 122
Trees help dissipate the energy of debris flows. Removing trees allows the debris flow to continue unimpeded.

6. Finley Salvage flood hazards
Waypoint 123 looking north
Retained trees helped moderate the movement of large logs.

7. Finley Salvage flood hazards
Waypoint 125
Clearly, had these been salvage-logged as planned, the debris flow would have been worse.

8. Finley Salvage flood hazards
Waypoint 125
These trees are marked for salvage logging on the questionable grounds that it will provide income and jobs and reduce the use of future fires.

9. There are many problems with the Finley Burn Salvage Sale
Area has unstable soils that will be impacted by logging
Road closures were not effective and added to damage
Plant association has significant aspen regeneration and riparian vegetation
Project is taking time away from remaining South Summit treatments …

10. There are many problems with the Finley Burn Salvage Sale
5. The income may not justify the costs.