Abstract

The Historical Role of Fire in the Foothill Communities of Sequoia National Park. D.J. Parsons. 1981. Madroño 28:111-120.

Fire records for foothill communities (below 1830 m elevation) in the Kaweah watershed since 1920 were examined. Number of fires was found to be greatest at high elevations and during the summer months. This corresponds to the period of maximum drought stress and minimum foliage moisture content of the vegetation. The greatest area burned was in the chapparal type and highest percentage of a community burned was in oak woodland, although 75% of the total area had not burned since 1920.