Forest Sciences Commons^™

Bark Beetle-Induced Changes To Crown Fuel Flammability And Crown Fire Potential, Wesley G. Page

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Recent outbreaks of aggressive tree-killing bark beetles, including mountain pine beetle in lodgepole pine forests and spruce beetle in Engelmann spruce forests, have recently affected vast areas across western North America. The high levels of tree mortality associated with these outbreaks have raised concerns amongst fire managers and wildland firefighters about the possible effects on fire behavior potential, particularly crown fire potential, as crown fires (fires that consume part or all of tree crowns) hinder the ability of firefighters to conduct safe and effective fire suppression operations. The purpose of this research was to measure and characterize the changes in …