Influence of slash burning on regeneration, other plant cover, and fire hazard in the Douglas-fir region (a progress report).

Abstract

In the Douglas-fir region, is slash burning ultimately good or bad practice? During the early 1940's whenever a group of foresters, met to discuss management or silviculture of that region, they usually debated this question. Until then they had burned slash in most clear cuttings east of the narrow coastal fog belt as accepted practice. Fire reduced or removed hazardous fuel as required by Oregon and Washington laws. If fire thus sufficiently reduced fuel, State authorities released the landowner from legal liability for maintaining a hazard. According to some foresters, however, slash fires greatly damaged the soil and seedbed surface. They contended that leaving slash and protecting it from accidental fires was better forestry.

Citation

Morris, William G. 1958. Influence of slash burning on regeneration, other plant cover, and fire hazard in the Douglas-fir region (a progress report). USDA Forest Service PNW Old Series Research paper No. 29: 1-49