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National Fire Plan Success Story

Cherokee Agency Invents New Native Seed Mixture for Aerial Seeding Project
North Carolina
National Fire Plan - Rehabilitation
2010

On May 3, 2009, the Stony Ridge Fire was called out after a seven-day scare that threatened the valley community of Big Cove, located on Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian Reservation, Cherokee, North Carolina. Bordering the community is the steep and rough terrain of the Great Smokey Mountains. For the Cherokee Agency, the situation raised major flags of concern as post-fire effects created unstable soil that could damage the community.

The Eastern Cherokee Agency fire management officers signed the Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation plan and initiated the 100-acre project September 30. Over the course of two-days, resources from the BIA Cherokee Agency, Seminole Agency, Great Smokey National Park, and the Oconaluftee Job Corp Center Forestry and Fire program performed an aerial seeding project to plan seed to stabilize soils on the slopes and restore wildlife habitat.

Seed mix Stony Ridge BAER Project.
Common Name lbs / 100 lbs Total Bulk
(lbs)
Partridge Pea 7.69 230.7
Virginia Wild Rye 13.85 415.5
LIttle Bluestem Camper 36.92 1,107.6
Foxtail Millet 29.23 876.9
Indian Grass 12.31 369.4
Total 3,000.0

Managers were looking at aerial costs and weather conditions to as potential areas of concern. They were not expecting to find the seed too light to feed through the aerial feeders, making seed dispersion impossible. On the fly, managers chose to experiment with palatalized lime to add consistency to the mixture. With dwindling flight time available and high relative humidity, managers worked with various mixtures to find a consistency suitable for the humid environment, settling on a 3:1 lime to seed mixture.

This creative approach resulted in saving precious time, resources and the useful discovery if a seed ratio other agencies in humid climates can use.

As part of an after action review, BIA Fire Management Officer for the Cherokee Agency, Ron Carnes stated, “he is pleased with the project and interagency support provided throughout the project.”

The invention of a new lightweight seed mixture would not have occurred were it not for the experienced and creative specialists assigned to the team. Furthermore, due to the unique experiences and challenges this project posed, ground crews were able to gain rare experience working with aviation resources and equipment.