Fire is an important disturbance in riparian systems—consuming vegetation; increasing light;creating snags and debris flows; altering habitat structure; and affecting stream conditions, erosion, andhydrology. For many years, land managers have worked to keep fire out of riparian systems through theuse of buffers.
The field of so-called “futures research” provides researchers and stakeholders in a given subject area or system a way to map out and plan for alternate possible scenarios of the future.
Within sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) ecosystems, which are home to more than 350 species of plants and animals, potentially more frequent and severe fires are causing an increased threat to human safety, property, rural economies, and wildlife habitat. In particular, the habitat of the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), an iconic sagebrush-dependent species, is at risk.
The Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) has funded an impressive number of research projects over the years. However, the number of projects does not necessarily provide an accurate picture of the program’s effectiveness.
Modern works by highly skilled narrative authors and artists have become increasingly useful for telling the story of wildland fire in the United States.
Shaded fuel breaks, a common strategy proposed to reduce wildfire risk, often elicit diverse opinions from stakeholders, including firefighting professionals and members of the public. While the efficacy of using fuel breaks in support of fire operations is a common debate, the role of fuel breaks in support of broader forest health and treatment goals is not discussed as often.
Increasing size and severity of wildfires have led to increased interest in managing forests for resiliency to future disturbances. Comparing and contrasting treated versus untreated stands through multiple growing seasons postfire provide an opportunity to understand processes driving responses and can guide management decisions regarding resiliency.
Fuel moisture content (FMC) is a measure of the amount of water in a fuel, such as vegetation, available to a fire, and is expressed as a percent of the dry weight of that specific fuel. Read more at, Fire Facts: What is? Fuel Moisture Content
High fuel loads can significantly contribute to the intensity and severity of fires. Fuels include plant material, such as leaves, bark, needles, branches, and vegetation. Land managers use various methods to reduce fuel levels. The two most common fuel treatment methods include forest thinning and prescribed fire.
This report summarizes the accumulated impacts and associated costs of wildfires at the local, state, and federal level.