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Author(s):
Philip N. Omi, Erik J. Martinson
Year Published:

Cataloging Information

Topic(s):
Fire Policy & Law
Fuels
Fuel Treatments & Effects
Ecosystem(s):
Ponderosa pine woodland/savanna

NRFSN number: 11072
FRAMES RCS number: 129
Record updated:

The severity of recent fire seasons in the US has provided dramatic evidence for the increasing complexity of wildfire problems. A wide variety of indicators suggest worsening dilemmas: area burned, funds expended, homes destroyed or evacuated, ecosystems at risk, and human fatalities/injuries all seem to be on the increase or have peaked in recent years. The National Fire Plan (and ongoing initiatives by the US Forest Service and Department of Interior) and current administration's response to the 2002 fire season (i.e., President Bush's Healthy Forest Initiative) have stimulated heightened interest in fuel treatments.

Citation

Omi, Philip N.; Martinson, Erik J. 2004. Effectiveness of thinning and prescribed fire in reducing wildfire severity. In: Murphy, Dennis D.; Stine, Peter A., eds. Proceedings of the Sierra Nevada Science Symposium: science for Management and Conservation. 2002 October 8-10. Kings Beach, CA. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-193. Albany, CA: USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. p. 87-92