Publication information:
Moghaddas, Jason J. 2006. A fuel treatment reduces potential fire
severity and increases suppression efficiency in a Sierran mixed
conifer forest. In: Andrews, Patricia L.; Butler, Bret W., comps.
Fuels management--how to measure success: conference proceedings;
2006 March 28-30; Portland, OR. Proceedings RMRS-P-41. Fort Collins,
CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain
Research Station: 441-449.
Abstract—Fuel treatments are being widely implemented on public and
private lands across the western U.S. While scientists and managers
have an understanding of how fuel treatments can modify potential
fire behavior under modeled conditions, there is limited information
on how treatments perform under real wildfire conditions in Sierran
mixed conifer forests. The Bell Fire started on 9/22/2005 on the
Plumas National Forest, CA. This fire burned upslope into a 1-year
old, 390-acre mechanical fuel treatment on private land. Prior to
impacting the fuel treatment, the main fire ignited spot fires 400
feet into the treated area. Within the treated area, loadings of 1-,
10-, and 100-hour fuels averaged 5.2 tons/acre. Stand density
averaged 73 trees/acre, with a live crown base of 30 feet and
36% canopy cover. This fuel treatment resulted in: 1) increased
penetration of retardant to surface fuels, 2) improved visual
contact between fire crews and the IC, 3) safe access to the main
fire, and 4) quick suppression of spot fires. This treatment was
relatively small and isolated from other fuel treatments but
resulted decreased severity, suppression costs, and post fire
rehabilitation needs, leading to cost savings for local public and
private land managers.
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Pre- and postfire stand data are provided for the for the following
species. For further information, follow the highlighted links to
the FEIS reviews for those species.
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