Hayman Fire Case Study

Abstract

In 2002 much of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado was rich in dry vegetation as a result of fire exclusion and the droughty conditions that prevailed in recent years. These dry and heavy fuel loadings were continuous along the South Platte River corridor located between Denver and Colorado Springs on the Front Range. These topographic and fuel conditions combined with a dry and windy weather system centered over eastern Washington to produce ideal burning conditions. The start of the Hayman Fire was timed and located perfectly to take advantage of these conditions resulting in a wildfire run in 1 day of over 60,000 acres and finally impacting over 138,000 acres. The Hayman Fire Case Study, involving more than 60 scientists and professionals from throughout the United States, examined how the fire behaved, the effects of fuel treatments on burn severity, the emissions produced, the ecological (for example, soil, vegetation, animals) effects, the home destruction, postfire rehabilitation activities, and the social and economic issues surrounding the Hayman Fire. The Hayman Fire Case Study revealed much about wildfires and their interactions with both the social and natural environments. As the largest fire in Colorado history it had a profound impact both locally and nationally. The findings of this study will inform both private and public decisions on the management of natural resources and how individuals, communities, and organizations can prepare for wildfire events.

Titles contained within Hayman Fire Case Study

• Hayman Fire case study: Summary [RMRS-GTR-114]
• Fire behavior, fuel treatments, and fire suppression on the Hayman Fire
• Fire behavior, fuel treatments, and fire suppression on the Hayman Fire - Part 1: Fire weather, meteorology, and climate
• Fire behavior, fuel treatments, and fire suppression on the Hayman Fire - Part 2: Description and interpretations of fire behavior
• Fire behavior, fuel treatments, and fire suppression on the Hayman Fire - Part 3: Effects of fuel treatments on fire severity
• Fire behavior, fuel treatments, and fire suppression on the Hayman Fire - Part 4: Relation of roads to burn severity
• Fire behavior, fuel treatments, and fire suppression on the Hayman Fire - Part 5: Fire suppression activities
• Fire behavior, fuel treatments, and fire suppression on the Hayman Fire - Part 6: Daily emissions
• Ecological effects of the Hayman Fire - Part 1: Historical (pre-1860) and current (1860-2002) fire regimes
• Ecological effects of the Hayman Fire - Part 2: Historical (pre-1860) and current (1860-2002) forest and landscape structure
• Ecological effects of the Hayman Fire - Part 3: Soil properties, erosion, and implications for rehabilitation and aquatic ecosystems
• Ecological effects of the Hayman Fire - Part 4: Forest succession
• Ecological effects of the Hayman Fire - Part 5: Historical aquatic systems
• Ecological effects of the Hayman Fire - Part 6: Fire-induced changes in aquatic ecosystems
• Ecological effects of the Hayman Fire - Part 7: Key invasive nonnative plants
• Ecological effects of the Hayman Fire - Part 8: Effects on species of concern
• Home destruction within the Hayman Fire perimeter
• Postfire rehabilitation of the Hayman Fire
• Social and economic issues of the Hayman Fire

Citation

Graham, Russell T. 2003. Hayman Fire Case Study. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-114. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 396 p.