Advanced Search Results Detail

Project ID: 09-1-01-1

Year: 2009

Date Started: 10/01/2009

Date Completed: 03/15/2013

Title: Effectiveness and Longevity of Fuel Treatments in Coniferous Forests Across California

Project Proposal Abstract: To date the majority of research surrounding the effectiveness of fuel treatments only considers the time immediately after treatment. Starting in 2000, permanent plots were established in areas planned for hazardous fuel reduction treatments across National Forests in California. Forest structure and fuels data has been collected at 26 sites across 14 National Forests in coniferous ecosystems for pre-, one year post-, and often two year post-treatment. Treatments include prescribed fire, mechanical methods, and a combination of the two. Analysis of the effectiveness of treatments to alter forest structure and fuel characteristics has been completed for pre- versus one year post-treatment. In general it was found that prescribed fire significantly reduced ground and surface fuel loads but did not significantly alter forest structure. Mechanical methods significantly altered forest structure and had varying effects on surface and ground fuels, often increasing larger diameter fuel loads. In general, modeled fire behavior was reduced for both treatment types; however, mechanical methods had mixed effects. Starting in 2009 there will be 27 sites capable of providing data to quantify changes in forest structure and fuel characteristics at 5 to 10 years post-treatment. We propose to re-measure these permanent plots and address the needs outlined in FA-RFA-09-0001A Lifecycle fuels treatment. This project will directly address the questions pertaining to: 1) the length of time fuel treatments are effective in reducing undesirable fire behavior and effects and how the effectiveness changes over time; 2) what re-treatment intervals are needed for various treatment types to maintain desired fire effects; and 3) the uncertainty associated with using standard fuel models in assessing treatment effectiveness, longevity, and maintenance. The longevity of treatment effectiveness and determination of appropriate re-treatment intervals will be assessed by quantifying changes in fuel conditions and potential fire behavior over time. The progression of fuel (ground, surface, and canopy) accumulation over time will be assessed to see how long different treatments in varying coniferous forests last from a fuel mass standpoint. In addition, fire behavior modeling will be applied to predict the effectiveness of fuel treatments according to metrics such as modeled fire type and flame length. In addressing potential fire behavior, we will answer the third question posed, what are the key uncertainties associated with these analyses. Modeling potential fire behavior requires assumptions on the application of quantitative fuel data to the models. We will contrast potential fire behavior changes found when using existing fuel models and custom fuel models with actual fuel conditions. The information on longevity of fuel treatments and uncertainty in fire behavior model inputs will be of direct benefit to managers preparing burn plans, other fuel hazard reduction plans, fire management, and other land management planning. Results will be shared with managers via several means including: 1) website (including an interactive database), 2) workshops; 3) managers summary; 4) presentation at one or more regional or national fire conference(s); and 5) two or more refereed publications.

Principal Investigator: Nicole M. Vaillant

Agency/Organization: Forest Service

Branch or Dept: PNW-Western Wildland Environmental Threat Assessment Ctr

Other Project Collaborators

Type	Name	Agency/Organization	Branch or Dept
Budget Contact	Rebecca A. Slick	Forest Service	PNW-Pacific Northwest Research Station
Co-Principal Investigator	Scott N. Dailey	Forest Service	AMSET-Adaptive Management Services Enterprise Team
Co-Principal Investigator	Carol M. Ewell	Forest Service	AMSET-Adaptive Management Services Enterprise Team
Co-Principal Investigator	Erin K Noonan-Wright	Forest Service	RMRS-Fire Sciences Lab-Missoula
Co-Principal Investigator	Alicia L. Reiner	Forest Service	AMSET-Adaptive Management Services Enterprise Team
Federal Cooperator	Nicole M. Vaillant	Forest Service	PNW-Western Wildland Environmental Threat Assessment Ctr
Grants and Agreements Contact	Nicole M. Vaillant	Forest Service	PNW-Western Wildland Environmental Threat Assessment Ctr

Project Locations

Consortium

California

Level	State	Agency	Unit
STATE	CA	FS	ALL

Project Deliverables

Final Report ("Results presented in JFSP Final Reports may not have been peer-reviewed and should be interpreted as tentative until published in a peer-reviewed source.")

	ID	Type	Title
	10426	Conference/Symposia/Workshop	CA Fire Science Consortium - Effectiveness and longevity of fuel treatments in coniferous forests across California
	9708	Conference/Symposia/Workshop	Fuel Loading Succession Following Fuel Treatments in California
	10309	Conference/Symposia/Workshop	Mid-Term Fuel Treatment Impacts on Forest Structure and Fuel Loads in California
	10310	Conference/Symposia/Workshop	The Effectiveness and Longevity of Fuel Treatments in Coniferous Forests Across California
	10313	Conference/Symposia/Workshop	Long-Term Effects of Fuel Treatments on Carbon Pools in California
	10314	Conference/Symposia/Workshop	ARE CUSTOM FUEL MODELS BETTER? The Efficacy and Limitations of Custom Fuel Modeling using FFE-FVS
	10425	Conference/Symposia/Workshop	CA Fuels Committee - Effectiveness and longevity of fuel treatments in coniferous forests across California
	10330	Photo	Post prescribed fire treatment on the Modoc National Forest
	10334	Photo	Prescribed fire in one of the plots on the Klamath National Forest
	10333	Photo	Paired photos from a mechanically treated plot on the Inyo National Forest
	10332	Photo	Paired photos from a prescribed fire plot on the Stanislaus National Forest
	10331	Photo	Paired photos from a prescribed fire plot on the Modoc National Forest
	10308	Poster	Fuel Treatment Effectiveness Over 10 Years in California Forests, USA
	10312	Poster	Fuel Treatment Effects on Carbon Stocks in Californian Coniferous Forests Over Time
	10311	Poster	Fuel Treatment Effects on Carbon Stocks in Californian Coniferous Forests Over Time
	10393	Final Report Supplement	Managers’ Report Tahoe National Forest
	10392	Final Report Supplement	Managers’ Report Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
	10391	Final Report Supplement	Managers’ Report Stanislaus National Forest
	10390	Final Report Supplement	Managers’ Report Six Rivers National Forest
	10389	Final Report Supplement	Managers’ Report Sierra National Forest
	10388	Final Report Supplement	Managers’ Report Shasta-Trinity National Forest
	10387	Final Report Supplement	Managers’ Report Plumas National Forest
	10386	Final Report Supplement	Managers’ Report Mendocino National Forest
	10385	Final Report Supplement	Managers’ Report Modoc National Forest
	10384	Final Report Supplement	Managers’ Report Los Padres National Forest
	10383	Final Report Supplement	Managers’ Report Lassen National Forest
	10382	Final Report Supplement	Managers’ Report Klamath National Forest
	10381	Final Report Supplement	Managers’ Report Inyo National Forest
	10348	Final Report Supplement	Managers’ Report San Bernardino National Forest

Supporting Documents

There are no supporting documents available for this project.

Convert PDF documents to an html document using Adobe's online conversion tool.