VAFB-2018-21: Appendix D - Microscopic Analyses of Wildfire Effects to the Honda Ridge Rock Art Panel, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, Contract No. XUMU OS 100316, USACE-Omaha Task Order 14

Summary

In September 2016, the Canyon Fire burned approximately 12,742 acres on southern Vandenberg Air Force Base. The wildfire impacted three rock art sites, but most negatively affected the Honda Ridge rock art site (CA-SBA-550). The northeastern side of the pictograph panel took the brunt of the fire impacts, resulting in extensive carbon deposits, micro- and macro spalling, and possibly host rock discoloration (Murphy 2017). This study, more broadly situated within the Honda Ridge Pilot Project, applied non-invasive, microscopic analysis to assess the wildfire impacts to a northeastern panel section of the Honda Ridge pictograph panel. The following report outlines the methods and results of the microscopic analyses, as well as details pertinent information regarding the Canyon Fire, fire effects to rock art, future research avenues, and current site reconstruction and panel conservation efforts.

These microscopic analyses assist Vandenberg Air Force Base in fulfilling its responsibility to identify, protect, and manage cultural resources under Federal law such as Sections 106 and 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act (1966), Section 5 of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (1974), and AF Instruction 32-7065, among other governmental regulations. This analysis also adds to the growing body of research on wildfire effects to rock art sites, which will assist cultural resource managers in developing site-specific, responsive management and conservation plans to protect rock art sites.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) - Cultural Resource Report

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Vandenberg Air Force Base

Landowner(s): Vandenberg Air Force Base

Repository(s): 30 CES/CEVPC Vandenberg Air Force Base

Record Identifiers

Project ID(s): 2017-R

VAFB Number(s): VAFB-2018-21

Contract No. (s): XUMU OS 100316 USACE-Omaha Task Order 14

File Information