The first sign of fire was smoke visible on the eastern flanks of Artillery Dome (mile 18). Fire was first encountered at the river’s edge 1/8 mile below Cannon Creek. The fire has burned down to the river on the left bank at this point. A large tree has fallen from river left and almost completely blocks the river here. We were able to easily skirt this log on river right in kayaks. Rafts should also be able to get past this tree without portaging although it may require some dragging of the raft. Many large trees have fallen into the river below this point but only one other (below Pistol Creek) create any navigational problems.

Just above Lake Creek (mile 20.5), is where we saw the first burned area on the right bank. The area from mile 20 to 25 is most intensely burned on the upper part of the Middle Fork. Much of this area burned as a crown fire and some areas have live trees remaining.

Quick Stop camp was intensely burned. Although few parties ever camp here, it is used extensively for scouting Pistol Creek Rapid and therefore should be examined closely for hazard trees.

The popular Pistol Creek Camp was also burned very hot. There are only a few green trees left. We observed at least one hazard tree in the camp area. The Pistol Creek pack bridge was damaged on the downstream side. The abutment burned dropping the bridge about 4’ on that side and also burned some of the decking.

Just below the mouth of Pistol Creek is another hazard tree in the River. This tree fell from the river right side and blocks the main channel. We were able to pass this long on the left in kayaks. Rafts should also be able to scrape by in the shallow water on the left.

The private Pistol Creek Ranch area incurred heavy damage. All but three of the riverside cottages burned to the ground. All that remains of these cabins is the foundations and chimneys.

Airplane camp was burned by a ground fire which killed very few trees in the camp. On the next beach above the camp the fire burned hotter, in the crowns in places. It destroyed the toilet at the camp. The stainless riser needs to be packed out and the hole filled in. One hazard tree was found in camp.

Guard Station Camp (Indian Creek beach) was also heavily burned. Most trees are black although the beach area and ramp are unaffected.

On the left side of the river, the blackness continues until ¼ mile above the mouth of Indian Creek while on the right side the fire camp 30 miles later where some very active fire was observed burning intensely in the Aparejo drainage. Along the river, it is burned starting below Funston Camp (which hasn’t burned). The fire has blackened most of the left bank from here to Short Creek (mile 61.7-69). The right bank is also burned from above Trail Camp to Short Creek.

Trail Camp burned intensely behind camp but the main camp area was not burned.

Sheep Creek Camp burned hot. Most of the trees in the main camp area are black. Interestingly, most of the knapweed didn’t burn although the other ground vegetation (grasses, etc.) was blackened. Hazard tree found.

The Mormon Ranch/Flying B area perhaps is the blackest area on the Middle Fork. Even the riparian vegetation on the island burned intensely. Very little green vegetation exists in this area with the exception of the irrigated Flying B Airstrip. The black extends all the way up the hillsides, even to the top of Middle Fork Peak, over 5000’ above the river. The pack bridge is a sight to see. This charred area ends at about Short Creek and everything is green for the next two miles.

The last charred area begins on river left just above Little Pine Camp. The hillside above the camp burned intensely but the main camp area wasn’t burned too badly. The whole left side of the river from here to Survey Creek burned intensely while the right side was burned only in a few places.

Wilson Creek camp was burned intensely. The big tree in the main camp survived but most vegetation behind the camp is black (including the "bedroom" area as you approach the creek).

Grassy I also burned hot. The toilet, including plastic riser, burned completely leaving a deep hole, which needs to be filled in. Almost all trees above camp are black.

Grass II also burned, however, most trees in the main camp area are green. The toilet and plastic riser are gone. A deep hole remains which needs to be filled in.

Survey Creek Camp also burned but it was limited to the area behind the camp. The main flat is in fine shape. The privacy screen was burned entirely.

After Survey Creek, the only evidence of fire we saw was some active flames on a hillside in the Big Creek drainage near it’s mouth.

Overall, only about 6 miles of the riverbank in the Pistol Creek area and 11 miles in the Flying B area have been blackened. Very few of the boater camps have burned to the point they are undesirable. The attractiveness of the Middle Fork has not been changed by the fires of 2000. There is plenty of work to do down there. The toilet holes need to be filled in, hazard trees need to be removed and a surprising amount of trash has shown up from underneath the duff in the burned over camps.