U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
 
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Live Fuel Moisture Sampling Procedures

 
 1. Collect three samples at each site.
 
Sagebrush - FOLIAGE ONLY (Hand strip foliage from stems).
Fill container at least three-quarters full
Do not compact material
Remove flowers, insects, stems dead woody material
Collect between 1100 and 1500 hours
Do not collect when the foliage is wet; wait 24 hours and collect. Notify the Nevada State Office of any long delays at 775-861-6514.
 
 
2. Collection procedures:
 
Collect from random shrubs on the site, sampling the upper crown, as follows:
 
Northside, eastside, westside, and southside.
Repeat this procedure until the can is approximately three quarters full.
When the container is three-quarters full, brush material off the lip ensuring a good seal. DO NOT BLOW INTO THE CONTAINER, as blowing will add moisture to the sample.
Hold the lid over the container mouth while collecting to prevent moisture loss.
Tighten lid in place.
Keep containers as cool as possible - avoid leaving them in direct sunlight.
 
 
3. Complete all items on sampling form.
 
Observer's name
Sampling date
Time sample was taken
On site observations. THIS SECTION IS VERY IMPORTANT.
Observer the live to dead ratio and flowering stage as close as possible. Weather information should be taken with a belt weather kit.
Remarks. Any unusual observations dealing with the site, plants Weather, surrounding area, etc. If known record the date and amount of precipitation as has fallen on the site.
 
 
4. Place the filled containers in the plastic mailing tube, along with the completed sample form. Attach the mailing label, tightening the cap on the tube with a screwdriver and mail right away.
 

PINYON PINE SAMPLING

 
 
 
STEP 1:
 
                      
Pinyon sampling is done on Single Leaf Pinyon trees that are growing on a south aspect.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STEP 2:
 
                     
 
To sample the pinyon tree pull an equal amount of needles off that are the current years growth as well as needles that grew in previous years. Make sure to collect needles from all sides of the tree. Try to collect needles from different trees to insure a random sample. SAMPLES SHOULD NOT BE COLLECTED IF IT HAS RAINED WITHIN THE LAST 24 HOURS.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STEP 3:
 
                     
 
After picking the needles place them in the canisters that are provided. Make sure to fill at least 3/4 of the canister with pine needles. After the canister is full close the lid tightly and proceed by filling the other two canisters in the same manner. Once all three canisters are full fill out the information sheet for the sample site, and place the canisters and information sheet in the tube and mail it back to us.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thousand Hour Time-Lag Sampling Procedures  

Step 1:

One thousand hour samples are taken from trees that are on a south or southwest aspect.  The branch from the tree that is being sampled needs to be between three and eight inches in diameter.  Samples should be collected from trees that have been dead for at least three years, but not beginning to rot.  SAMPLES SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN IF IT HAS RAINED WITHIN THE LAST 24 HOURS. 

 

  

Step 2:

Take ten (10) random samples from different branches of the correct size from the sample site.  Make the first cut to remove the portion of the log that has been exposed to the air.  Then cut a sample that is no more than an inch thick.

After taking each sample place it in a zip lock bag and seal it completely.  A total of ten samples need to taken.  To ensure a random sample, take the samples from different trees.  After taking ten samples use the belt weather kit to take weather readings, and the fill out the information sheet.  Place the samples in the appropriate container and send the samples as well as information sheet back to the lab for processing.  Please allow a few days for the samples to be analyzed and for the information to be posted to the internet.       

 

Step One - Pinyon Pine Sampling

Step Two - Pinyon Pine Sampling

Step Three - Pinyon Pine Sampling

1000 Hour Step One Photo

1000 Hour Step Two Photo

 
Last updated: 04-28-2008