Stand, fuel, and potential fire behavior characteristics in an irregular southeastern Arizona ponderosa pine stand

Michael G. Harrington

doi:10.2737/RM-RN-418

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Stand, fuel, and potential fire behavior characteristics in an irregular southeastern Arizona ponderosa pine stand

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Michael G. Harrington

Year:

1982

Type:

Research Note

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/RM-RN-418

Source:

Res. Note RM-RN-418. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 6 p.

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Abstract

Arizona's natural ponderosa pine stands are characterized by open, mature groups and adjacent closed, dense thickets. The open structure of the mature groups permits a warm, dry environment, resulting in very low fuel moisture during much of the fire season and creating high ignition and fire spread potentials in the abundant fuels. The large woody fuel component of the adjacent closed groups contributes to a high crown fire potential in the low, dense sapling crowns. These findings suggest a need for fuel management activities where values-at-risk are high.

Keywords

fuel loadings, stand characteristics, fire behavior potential, Pinus ponderosa var arizonica

Citation

Harrington, Michael G. 1982. Stand, fuel, and potential fire behavior characteristics in an irregular southeastern Arizona ponderosa pine stand. Res. Note RM-RN-418. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 6 p.