Around this time last year, the Davis Fire torched nearly 6,000 acres across the Washoe Valley. The fire started at the Davis Creek Regional Park on September 7th. It destroyed 14 structures and forced thousands of people to evacuate. โOh, goodness. When the fire hit, it was devastating.โ Thatโs Tim Torellโs reaction when he thinks about last yearโs disaster. He is known for his wildlife photography, but he wanted to help restore the park by hand. โAs a chainsaw carver, I thought, well, here is an opportunity to give a dead tree life again in the form of art,โ added Torell.
The Day-Use portion is now open, but there are still tons of burnt trees. Some people say itโs an eyesore, but Torell finds beauty in the rough. โNow I see a log lying there and think, โOh, there is a bear in there, thereโs a mountain lion in that log. A den of foxes or an owl.โ One of Torellโs pieces stands next to the Rangersโ Office; you may have noticed it on your way in. Further down the road, the chainsaw carver is crafting a momma bear and her cubs. He has two goals in mind. โOne is to bring some life back out of the dead log. Recycle some life. Two, my goal is to inspire the younger generation. Inspire the little guys to put down the cell phone, get out in the wild and enjoy nature.โ
Each sculpture takes him about 2 weeks to fully complete. Torell takes a burnt tree, draws the animalโs shape and then saws out his vision with a variety of tools. He has other pieces at Lazy 5, Galena, Rancho San Rafael Park and Bartley Ranch. There will be more sculptures, but the park needs your help to support the restoration process. โIf you want to help and feel part of the process, make a donation,โ said Torell. Park Rangers say the Equestrian parking lot and the Campground remain closed, with no eta on opening.
