Fuel loadings in southwestern ecosystems of the United States

Stephen S. Sackett; Sally M. Haase

Treesearch

Fuel loadings in southwestern ecosystems of the United States

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Stephen S. Sackett, Sally M. Haase

Year:

1996

Type:

General Technical Report

Station:

Pacific Southwest Research Station

Source:

In: Ffolliott, P.F., DeBano, L.F.; Baker Jr., M.B.; Gottfried, G.J.; Solis-Garza, G.; Edminster, C.B.; Neary, D.G.; Allen, L.S.; Hamre, R.H., tech. coords. Effects of fire on Madrean Province ecosystems: A symposium proceedings. General Technical Report RM-GTR-285. Fort Collins, CO: USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station: 187-192

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Abstract

Natural forest fuel loadings cause extreme fire behavior during dry, windy weather experienced during most fire seasons in the Southwest. Fire severity is also exacerbated from burning heavy fuels, including heavy humus layers on the forest floor. Ponderosa pine and mixed conifer stands possess more than 21.7 and 44.1 tons per acre of total forest floor fuel, respectively, in Southwestern forest ecosystems.

Citation

Sackett, Stephen S.; Haase, Sally M. 1996. Fuel loadings in southwestern ecosystems of the United States. In: Ffolliott, P.F., DeBano, L.F.; Baker Jr., M.B.; Gottfried, G.J.; Solis-Garza, G.; Edminster, C.B.; Neary, D.G.; Allen, L.S.; Hamre, R.H., tech. coords. Effects of fire on Madrean Province ecosystems: A symposium proceedings. General Technical Report RM-GTR-285. Fort Collins, CO: USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station: 187-192