NR 422- Management and Fire Jim Graham Spring 2009

Multi-Use Management Priorities: –Biodiversity –Recreation/Cultural –Agriculture & Livestock –Geology Issues: –Economy –Political agendas –Public perception –Legal –History

Biodiversity Priorities: –Maintain/restore pristine habitat –Maximize biodiversity (rare) –Disease Management elements: –Pristine habitat –Minimal human impact Disturbance Pollution –Natural Fire Regimes –Natural Flood Regimes

Recreation Hunting and Fishing –Native vs. non-native species Boating: –Water skiing –Canoeing –Sailing Snowmobiling, ATVs Hiking, Snowshoeing and Camping Residences

Recreation Priorities: –Economy –Impact Management Tools: –Access –Fees –Education –Regulations

Agriculture and Livestock Issues: –Maintain stocks –Economy –Legal issues –Overgrazing (grassland to mesquite) Management Tools: –Fees –Access –Fire

Geology Priorities: –Economy –Impact Tools: –Licenses –Regulation –Mitigation

Multi-Use Management Question: –What management activities should take place to best meet priorities? –Where? –When?

Management Tools Human access and activities Grazing, harvesting Restoration: removal and establishment Education Fees & Licenses Flood regulation Fire Regulations

Impacts Invasive species/disease Human impact: habitat loss/disturbance, pollution, poaching Climate change

How do you make a fire? Paper Dry kindling Match Blow on it! Add larger fuels

What makes fire? Fuels –Fuel type and quantity –Fuel moisture Ignition –Lighting –Campfires/Cigarettes –Arson

What keeps it going? More fuel Wind –Up slopes Lack of moisture –Rain –Humidity –Sun (aspect)

Fire Fuels Ground –Grass –Litter Latter fuels Canopy

Fuel Moisture – Dead Fuels 10-h, ½" diameter 100-h, 1-3" diameter 1000-h, 3-8" diameter Wildland Fire Assessment System

Topography Slope: Fires travel upslope Aspect: Sun exposure Elevation: Oxygen?

Weather Wind: Single most important factor –Drives fire Rain: Stops fire Humidity: Slows fire

Managing Fire Current Trends: –Restoring the natural fire regime –Protecting property Tools: –Prescribed fires –Harvesting/Fuel removal –Fire suppression

Fire Software FARSITE: Fire dynamics BEHAVE+: Species behavior models FLAMMAP: Same structures as FARSITE but no temporal modeling