Fuel variability following wildfire in forests with mixed severity fire regimes, Cascade Range, USA

Abstract

Fire severity influences post-burn structure and composition of a forest and the potential for a future fire to burn through the area. The effects of fire on forests with mixed severity fire regimes are difficult to predict and interpret because the quantity, structure, and composition of forest fuels vary considerably. This study examines the relationship between fire severity and post-burn fuel characteristics in forests with mixed severity fire regimes. We sampled live and dead canopy and surface fuels across four fire severity classes on three wildfires that occurred on the east side of the Cascade Range, USA, in 2007 and 2008. We used empirical fuels data and stand structure and composition characteristics to calculate potential surface fire behavior for the four fire severity classes. Post-burn average canopy cover is 25-30% in the low severity class and

Citation

Hudec, Jessica L.; Peterson, David L. 2012. Fuel variability following wildfire in forests with mixed severity fire regimes, Cascade Range, USA. Forest Ecology and Management. 277: 11-24.