Fuels change quickly after California drought and bark beetle outbreaks with implications for potential fire behavior and emissions

Charlotte Reed; Sharon M. Hood; Daniel R. Cluck; Sheri L. Smith

doi:10.1186/s42408-023-00175-6

Treesearch

Fuels change quickly after California drought and bark beetle outbreaks with implications for potential fire behavior and emissions

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Charlotte Reed, Sharon M. Hood, Daniel R. Cluck, Sheri L. Smith

Year:

2023

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1186/s42408-023-00175-6

Source:

Fire Ecology. 19: 16.

Download (PDF 2.97 MB)

Download (PDF 2.97 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/65993.pdf

Abstract

An extreme drought from 2012–2016 and concurrent bark beetle outbreaks in California, USA resulted in widespread tree mortality. We followed changes in tree mortality, stand structure, and surface and canopy fuels over four years after the peak of mortality in Sierra mixed conifer and pinyon pine (Pinus monophylla) forests to examine patterns of mortality, needle retention after death, and snag fall across tree species. We then investigated how the tree mortality event affected surface and canopy fuel loading and potential impacts on fire hazard and emissions.

Keywords

Pinus, Dendroctonus, Ips, Scolytus, Calocedrus, Abies, wildfire, epidemic, fuel hazard, tree mortality

Citation

Reed, Charlotte C.; Hood, Sharon M.; Cluck, Daniel R.; Smith, Sheri L. 2023. Fuels change quickly after California drought and bark beetle outbreaks with implications for potential fire behavior and emissions. Fire Ecology. 19: 16.