Baer Truth: Fertilization And Yarrow Show Promise For Restoring Vegetation Cover After Fire On The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest,
2010
US Forest Service
Baer Truth: Fertilization And Yarrow Show Promise For Restoring Vegetation Cover After Fire On The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Marjie Brown
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
For this study, researchers tested the effectiveness of seeding and fertilization treatments for increasing total live plant cover and reducing bare soil during the first 2 years following wildfire in dry mixed-conifer forests of north-central Washington state. Results suggest that fertilization treatments can increase the effectiveness of seeding treatments and stimulate regrowth of surviving native vegetation after fire, particularly in forest types with understory vegetation dominated by species that resprout. Yarrow seed was a surprising performer, especially in combination with fertilization. Effectiveness of treatments varied greatly depending on site characteristics that included elevation, precipitation and postfi re plant survival.
Taming Non-Native Grasses In Zion National Park,
2010
US Forest Service
Taming Non-Native Grasses In Zion National Park, Marjie Brown
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
Fine fuels from non-native, annual brome grasses have overcome native plants across much of Zion Canyon in Zion National Park. This invasion threatens the single road that provides access into—and escape from—the canyon, creating a threat to human life should a large wildfi re occur there. In addition, native riparian plant communities in Zion Canyon have been degraded by non-native plants, and recurrent fire caused by annual grasses could further reduce native plant diversity. Results from this study suggest that burning can have a more lasting effect than annual mowing in reducing fine fuel loads, extending the period between repeated …
A Need And A Concern: Reducing Fuels In The Riparian Areas Of Southwestern Oregon,
2010
US Forest Service
A Need And A Concern: Reducing Fuels In The Riparian Areas Of Southwestern Oregon, Shari Anstedt
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
Sophisticated in composition but small in scale, a riparian area is a fertile ecosystem of various plant and animal species that occurs along watercourses or water bodies. In the Applegate River sub-basin of southwestern Oregon, there is little understanding on how prescribed fi re may affect these areas. According to several studies, fire was historically an important component in some western riparian areas of both intermittent and perennial streams, burning at the same frequency and intensity as the associated upland areas. Due to a lack of supportive documentation and locally-pertinent data and the perception that the complex ecosystems may be …
Reptiles And Amphibians In An Upland Longleaf Pine Forest,
2010
US Forest Service
Reptiles And Amphibians In An Upland Longleaf Pine Forest, Elise Lequire
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
Longleaf pine forests are prime real estate for the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker, which nests in cavities in older trees. While researchers and state and federal agencies carefully monitor and encourage the survival of this endangered species, beneath the canopy, a rich diversity of less mobile species abounds. Much attention has been focused on the use of prescribed fire to improve longleaf pine habitat for its own sake, and for the woodpecker. Very little is known about the effects of fi re on the herpetofauna. In the Oakmulgee Ranger District of the Talladega National Forest in Alabama, scientists have measured the …
Going Underground: Studying Fuel Treatment Effects On The Mycorrhizal Community Of Northern California,
2010
US Forest Service
Going Underground: Studying Fuel Treatment Effects On The Mycorrhizal Community Of Northern California, Shari Anstedt
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
On the southeastern edge of the Klamath Mountains in northern California, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area’s low elevation plant communities are characterized by an assortment of oaks and conifers with an understory of dense chaparral. Mechanical mastication of shrubs and small trees has become a popular method of fuels management. Although mastication expands the list of options for fire managers, the ecological impacts and long-term effects are virtually unknown. In particular, mechanical mastication essentially rearranges fuels and leaves behind a dense layer of slash on the ground. Burning this debris can potentially heat the soil and adversely affect the roots of …
Forecast For The Great Basin,
2010
US Forest Service
Forecast For The Great Basin, Elise Lequire
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
Across the Great Basin, human activity since the 19th century has altered fire regimes, land-cover patterns, and the distribution of animals and plants in ways that may be irreversible. Expansion of native pinyon and juniper trees and non-native cheatgrass into areas dominated by sagebrush is hypothesized to be increasing the frequency, extent, and severity of wildfi re. Land uses such as grazing by domestic livestock and diversion of water for irrigation have greatly reduced the extent of riparian vegetation that supports many species of birds, butterfl ies, and other animals. For more than 20 years, changes in land cover have …
Managing For Fish And Fire: A Balancing Act In The Gila National Forest,
2010
US Forest Service
Managing For Fish And Fire: A Balancing Act In The Gila National Forest, Elise Lequire
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
The Gila National Forest in southwestern New Mexico harbors two imperiled aquatic species in its mid-to-high elevation streams, the Gila chub and the Gila trout. Modern and historical land use pressures, and the introduction of non-native fishes, have reduced the range of the Gila trout to a handful of headwater streams. The remaining populations are highly fragmented. The Gila National Forest was an early pioneer in the use of naturally ignited wildfire to achieve resource benefi ts. Fish populations can be harmed by fire in some cases, however, even when they have evolved with fire. This occurs when populations dwindle …
Seeing Through The Haze: A Tool For Apportioning Emission Sources For Use In Smoke Management Programs,
2010
US Forest Sercive
Seeing Through The Haze: A Tool For Apportioning Emission Sources For Use In Smoke Management Programs, Christina Frame
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
Evidence shows that smoke from fires (wildfi re, controlled burning, and agricultural burning) is contributing signifi cantly to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and haze in many urban and rural areas, affecting health, visibility, and ecosystems. In addition to the primary particulate matter directly emitted by fires, gaseous organic compounds are emitted that transform into “secondary” particulate matter downwind from fires, which contributes notably to PM2.5 and haze. States and tribes are required to implement programs to reduce emissions to meet the requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) National Ambient Air Quality Standards and Regional Haze Rule, and central to …
Who Made That Smoke?,
2010
US Forest Service
Who Made That Smoke?, Jake Delwiche
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
Management of smoke from prescribed fire activities is important. Consideration must be given to short-term effects of smoke on work crews and neighboring communities. This requires accurate real-time information for smoke forecasting. Tools have been created to help meet these needs of smoke managers for prescribed burns. However, longer-term smoke effects are also important. Managers must meet state and federal regulations for air emissions, and must be aware of projects causing potential violations of National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and reduction in visibility. Both wildfires and prescribed burns can contribute significantly to fine particulate matter (PM) and ozone in …
Getting Public Involvement In Wildfire Hazard Mitigation,
2010
US Forest Service
Getting Public Involvement In Wildfire Hazard Mitigation, Jake Delwiche
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
In many areas of the U.S. where wildfires are a recognized hazard, public agencies have taken steps to involve the public in reduction of the risks. Programs have ranged from purely voluntary public education to building codes for new buildings and ordinances for vegetation control. Some local governments provide free or subsidized services to reduce fire risks. Recently enacted federal and state policies encourage local government to become more active in managing wildfire hazards. Interest in creating local public programs to achieve hazard reduction has sparked research into which steps will have the most success in achieving hazard mitigation. Recent …
Getting In The Game: Out On The Landscape Without Leaving Your Desk With Gnnviz,
2010
US Forest Service
Getting In The Game: Out On The Landscape Without Leaving Your Desk With Gnnviz, Marjie Brown
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
This project used computer game technology to create highly interactive forest data visualization and interaction not possible with the traditional geographic information system approach. Known as GNNViz (Gradient Nearest Neighbor Vegetation Map Visualization), the program was developed by applying it to three large regions in the western U.S., though it’s readily extended to additional landscapes and spatial data formats. Developers leveraged the superior capabilities of video game technology to render realistic 3D environments and allow multiple users to interact with each other in a shared environment. Real time rendering allows users to move about and explore huge areas of terrain …
Tapping Into Technology And Information Resources To Assess Erosion Risk,
2010
US Forest Service
Tapping Into Technology And Information Resources To Assess Erosion Risk, Shari Anstedt
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
Just over 50 years ago, predicting soil erosion was a time-consuming manual process. These methods have evolved over time and now include models such as the Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP), which helps simulate the important physical processes that result in soil erosion by water. It was the goal of this study to build on the WEPP model to create a multi-scale software tool that could provide fire and fuel managers with access to the geographic data and detailed images they needed to predict soil erosion after wildfire and fuel-reduction treatments. The new tool, known as the Geo-spatial interface for …
Expanding Use Of The Fire Effects Planning Framework,
2010
US Forest Service
Expanding Use Of The Fire Effects Planning Framework, Marjie Brown
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
This project sought to discover the best ways to encourage broader use of the fire planning and management tool—Fire Effects Planning Framework (FEPF). FEPF calculates and captures the ecological effects of fire, including the benefits. Along the way FEPF developers learned that varying perspectives, skill sets, responsibilities and workloads of targeted users require differing approaches in order for tech transfer to be effective. Additionally, a lack of incentives to measure and account for fire’s benefits was causing managers to prioritize information and tools that capture fire’s costs, particularly to private property. Face-to-face presentations proved to be the most effective way …
Modifying Fofem To Predict Mortality Of The Longleaf Pine Species,
2010
US Forest Service
Modifying Fofem To Predict Mortality Of The Longleaf Pine Species, Shari Anstedt
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
Once the dominant overstory tree across much of the Southeastern United States, the longleaf pine species declined until it faced a high risk of extinction. But due to recent interest in longleaf pine, there is a new focus on managing and restoring the species. Historically, fire has been an important component in maintaining the longleaf pine ecosystem. To help recreate the pre-settlement conditions in which longleaf flourished, prescribed burning is being used. There is concern, however, that by using fire as a management tool, some trees could be lost due to fire-induced mortality. Therefore, a balance must be reached between …
Introducing Fuelcalc: A New Tool That Helps Turn Static Inventory Data Into Actionable Information,
2010
US Forest Service
Introducing Fuelcalc: A New Tool That Helps Turn Static Inventory Data Into Actionable Information, Shari Anstedt
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
Fuel and fire managers perform fuel treatments to manage and restore ecosystems and protect resources. In order to plan effective fuel treatments that accomplish objectives, managers need to analyze fuel conditions and document the expected fire behavior and fi re effects both before and after fuel treatment. To help accomplish these goals, a new software tool named FuelCalc was created. FuelCalc facilitates use of a wide range of inventory data and fuel characteristics to help calculate fuel quantities and qualities to estimate potential fire behavior, fire effects, and smoke production. By linking with a number of existing software systems and …
After The Fire: Assessing Post-Treatment Effects On Fine Fuels In The Sierra Nevada,
2010
US Forest Service
After The Fire: Assessing Post-Treatment Effects On Fine Fuels In The Sierra Nevada, Shari Anstedt
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
In the mixed conifer forests of the Sierra Nevada, it appears that fire dynamics have changed from predominantly low and moderate intensity surface fires to a greater proportion of larger, stand-replacing fires. To help reduce fuels and speed the restoration process, the Forest Service harvests dead trees and uses herbicides to control early stages of shrubs. But there are concerns about these post-burn restoration treatments and their infl uence on emerging fine fuels. Some of these treatments have been linked to an increase in annual grass invasions, specifi cally non-native grasses, which have the potential to significantly alter fuel characteristics, …
Changes In Public Responses To Wildland Fuel Management Over Time,
2010
US Forest Service
Changes In Public Responses To Wildland Fuel Management Over Time, Joy Drohan
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
This study compared citizen responses to surveys in 2002 and 2008 about fuels reduction programs by federal land management agencies. The researchers attempted to identify factors that influence public opinion and promote citizen support for agency actions. The study design allowed comparisons over time among individuals and in seven locations in the Midwest and western U.S. The researchers found key commonalities and differences in responses among sites. They identified important fire-related activities (e.g., signifi cant fires, fuel treatments, formation of citizen groups, community wildfi re protection planning) at each location in the years between the two surveys to understand what …
A New Online Tool And Estimates For Hand-Pile Biomass And Smoke Production,
2010
US Forest Service
A New Online Tool And Estimates For Hand-Pile Biomass And Smoke Production, Shari Anstedt
Joint Fire Science Program Briefs (2007-2012)
To help reduce the chance for high-severity fires in the western United States, thinning of the forest understory, midstory and overstory has become a necessity. In some cases, the resulting surface fuels are piled by hand and burned. As this two-part treatment method becomes more widely-used, fire managers need the ability to calculate the biomass of hand-piled fuels so they can better estimate the potential emissions and smoke impacts from their disposal by burning. Since machine-constructed piles were sampled in a previous study, researchers were able to use this past research as a point of departure to develop methods to …
Mitigating Old Tree Mortality In Long-Unburned,Fire-Dependent Forests: A Synthesis,
2010
Mississippi State University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Mitigating Old Tree Mortality In Long-Unburned,Fire-Dependent Forests: A Synthesis, Sharon M. Hood
Joint Fire Science Program Synthesis Reports
This report synthesizes the literature and current state of knowledge pertaining to reintroducing fire in stands where it has been excluded for long periods and the impact of these introductory fires on overstory tree injury and mortality. Only forested ecosystems in the United States that are adapted to survive frequent fire are included. Treatment options that minimize large-diameter and old tree injury and mortality in areas with deep duff and methods to manage and reduce duff accumulations are discussed. Pertinent background information on tree physiology, properties of duff, and historical versus current disturbance regimes are also discussed.
Post-Fire Treatment Effectiveness For Hillslope Stabilization,
2010
Air, Watershed, and Aquatics Science Program
Post-Fire Treatment Effectiveness For Hillslope Stabilization, Peter R. Robichaud, Louise E. Ashmun, Bruce D. Sims
Joint Fire Science Program Synthesis Reports
This synthesis of post-fire treatment effectiveness reviews the past decade of research, monitoring, and product development related to post-fire hillslope emergency stabilization treatments, including erosion barriers, mulching, chemical soil treatments, and combinations of these treatments. In the past ten years, erosion barrier treatments (contour-felled logs and straw wattles) have declined in use and are now rarely applied as a post-fire hillslope treatment. In contrast, dry mulch treatments (agricultural straw, wood strands, wood shreds, etc.) have quickly gained acceptance as effective, though somewhat expensive, post-fire hillslope stabilization treatments and are frequently recommended when values-at-risk warrant protection. This change has been motivated …
