Evaluating Prescribed Fires

Authors

Kevin C. Ryan
Nonan V. Noste

Document Type

Contribution to Book

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Proceedings - Symposium and Workshop on Wilderness Fire; 1983 November 15-18; Missoula, MT

Location

Missoula, MT

Publication Date

1985

First Page

230

Last Page

238

Abstract

A preliminary method for classifying fire severity permits managers to predict fire effects with reasonable accuracy and thus assists them in prescription development. The classification described here consists of a two-dimensional matrix of flame length classes and depth of char classes. Flame length classes are derived from direct observations and reconstruction of the fire environment. Depth of char class is derived from postburn observations of the extent to which fuels were burned, particularly on the soil surface. The relationship between fire severity and vegetation response is useful in understanding postfire survival and recovery of vegetation.

Comments

This item was written and prepared by U.S. Government employees on official time, and is therefore in the public domain.

Recommended Citation

Ryan, K. and Noste, N. (1985). Evaluating prescribed fires, pp. 230-238 in: JE Lotan et al.(tech. coor) Proceedings - Symposium and Workshop on Wilderness Fire. USDA Forest Service Intermountain Forest and Range Experiement Station, General Technical Report INT-182.