Treesearch
Fire toolbox: Reducing wildfire severity with prescribed fire and thinning
| Authors: | Barbara McDonald, Jessica Nickelsen, Michelle Andrews, Nissa McKinney |
| Year: | 2026 |
| Type: | Natural Inquirer |
| Station: | Washington Office |
Download (PDF 82.10 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/80897.pdf
Abstract
Welcome to the first monograph in the Fire Series! In this research, scientists were interested in understanding the impacts of different forest treatments, like thinning and prescribed fire, on forest conditions. Setting up an experimental design to test these treatments' impacts during a wildfire was impossible, but when a real wildfire burned through the study plots unexpectedly, scientists were able to see how these treatments affected forest resilience. The monograph also features a spotlight on Smokey Bear and his wildfire prevention message, activities, a glossary, and national education standards correlations.