**Update 6-20-2006
Many of the circles are modern day artificial islands that have been created by the California Department of Fish and Game. Although this doesn't explain all the circles in the forest it does explain the areas near Fairchild Swamp.

**Update 6-20-2006
"Fairchild Swamp is a 2000 acre wetland on the Devil’s Garden plateau. This area has been developed to provide spring migration and nesting habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds on the Pacific Flyway. This has been a cooperative effort between Ducks Unlimited, California Waterfowl Association, California Department of Fish and Game, and the Modoc National Forest. There are currently over 180 nesting islands and 4 & 1/2 miles of dike, and 6 water control structures in this project."