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- Info
Fire technical theme "Role of fire in a healthy forest/world"
| Author: |
Roberts, J.E. |
| Date: |
1988 |
| Periodical: |
In: National Society of American Foresters Convention; 1988 Oct.16-19; Rochester, NY. |
| Abstract: |
Thoughts - J. Roberts: There is no "cookbook" solution that will cover all the questions that can be raised. My intent in this presentation is to show some thought process and problems/solution applications that have been learned through experience. If you come away with more questions about your own program than answers, then my presentation was successful. I want to approach this session from the standpoint of what's new and different and not rehash most of what Is common knowledge. For that reason, I am not going to discuss the merits of prescribed fire in the Southwest for Timber Stand Improvement, Wildlife habitat improvement, etc. Most all of us are familiar with the benefits and problems surrounding these areas since we've been at it for several years. The newest challenge we face is proper use of prescribed fire in the wilderness areas. There are several objectives here, with limited avenues for accomplishing them. Let's take a look at planned and unplanned ignitions in wilderness areas. The role of fire in perpetuation of the ecosystem and achieving and maintaining a wilderness ecosystem is now on the forefront. Recognizing the management practices of the past may not allow us to have natural fires take their course; we have been allowed to use planned ignitions to reach this point. Planned ignitions have several objectives and need to be used for a variety of reasons we have not considered in the past. The first opportunity I'd like to look at is the standard or "basic" wilderness use of prescribed fire. What Are The Objectives (1) Permit lightning caused fires to more nearly play their natural ecological role within wilderness. (2) Reduce the risk from wildfire, or its consequences, to life and property within wilderness or to resources, life or property outside wilderness. (3) Maintain fire dependent communities (plants or animals) if the Act establishing the wilderness specifically directs their maintenance. Although prescribed fire may indirectly benefit wildlife, improve forage production or enhance other resource values, the decision to use prescribed fire must be predicated on the above stated wilderness fire objectives. |
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