Understory

Author: Brandon McWilliamsAspens are one of the most widely distributed tree species in north America and have a reputation for slowing wildfire. This fact sheet summarizes a recent study that examined the spatial effects of aspens on wildfire in the southern Rockies in order to better understand whether this reputation is earned, and discusses both the opportunities and uncertainties these findings present for managers.

This fact sheet summarized research on tree seedling regeneration after the 2020 Labor Day Fires in Oregon. It includes information on how regeneration was influenced by fire patterns, seed source availability, and topographic and climatic factors. It also includes information for specific species, including Douglas-fir, western hemlock, Pacific silver fir, and noble fir.For more information visit Collaborative Postfire Research and Monitoring: Supporting Oregon’s Natural and Cultural Resources Recovery Task Force.

Author: Brandon McWilliamsRemote sensing is a rapidly growing field, with significant potential benefits for forest disturbance assessment. This fact sheet gives a brief summary of remote sensing uses and techniques for assessing forest insects and disease and provides additional resources to learn more.

Author: Brandon McWilliamsWildfires are a part of the Western landscape, but monitoring and management activities are still important following a fire. This fact sheet offers a summary of a project examining long-term conifer recovery in postburn areas of Northern California.

Author: Brandon McWilliamsForests naturally go through cycles of disturbance and regrowth, but sometimes these disturbances are so severe that a forest struggles to recover on its own. In other instances, management priorities may call for an area to be reforested more quickly than would occur naturally. In either case, land managers may choose to replant an area themselves. This fact sheet provides a summary of a study examining what conditions affect the success of conifer seedlings planted after fires in Colorado.

Changing conditions, especially growing wildfire extent and frequency, may impact forests throughout the Western U.S. This fact sheet offers a summary of a study examining potential future changes in subalpine spruce-fir ecosystems throughout the Western U.S.

Author: Brandon McWilliamsThis fact sheet gives an introduction to some of the major sources of drought information and other data that is related to drought, and helps break down how they are presented. It covers the U.S. Drought Monitor weekly conditions map, the NOAA Seasonal Drought Outlook map, various sources of historical data, snowpack data, and significant fire potential outlooks.

Author: Brandon McWilliamsThis regular drought status update is produced using the most recent data and cover a seasonal range of outlooks, including current conditions, seasonal drought outlooks, and severe fire potential. It is broken down by Forest Service region. This update covers conditions for July 2025, and projections through September, 2025.

This regular drought status update is produced using the most recent data and cover a seasonal range of outlooks, including current conditions, seasonal drought outlooks, and severe fire potential. It is broken down by Forest Service region. This update covers conditions for April 15, 2025, and projections through July, 2025.

Author: Brandon McWilliamsThis fact sheet offers a general overview of the various types of drought, their effects, and some of the factors that contribute to drought in the West. It offers a good starting point for those who are less familiar with drought and drought effects, or want to learn more about how drought is monitored in the U.S.