Catastrophic
Fire versus Ecosystem Function
"Catastrophic
fire" is a term coined to describe forest fires. But fire in our national
forests plays a critically important ecological function. "Catastrophic"
is, however, a correct definition of the loss of human life. Since we can't prevent
forest fires anymore than we can stop the rain in Seattle -- we need to focus
scarce resources where they have the greatest benefit. Forest ecologists and fire
scientists tell us fire performs important ecosystem functions, cycling nutrients,
creating wildlife habitat for black-backed woodpeckers and destroying diseases.
Protecting lives and homes is a first priority, not logging wild roadless forests
in the backcountry.
Protecting Lives and Homes
Safeguarding
human lives and homes is a first priority -- there are 9,000 communities that
are at risk. Forest Service fire scientist Jack Cohen has shown the best way to
protect homes and communities is by by thinning forests and brush within 200 feet
of structures, and using non-flammable building materials and construction methods
that avoid creating surfaces where sparks can ignite. The community protection
zone is the area near communities with populations greater than 250 people per
square mile. Because of the close grouping of homes, business and other structures
in this zone, fuel-reduction projects are needed in a one-quarter mile zone around
communities in the community zone.The Fire Wise program was created to address
the needs of rural area residents, particularly those living outside the community
zone where homes are widely dispersed. Fire Wise focuses on the 200 foot zone
around homes and other structures, but also on protecting roads, utilities and
other public facilities.
Bush plan ignores science and risk to public
The Bush Administration continues to attempt to extinquish every forest fire disregarding
the beneficial role fire plays in overall forest health. While manipulating the
threat of fire to homes and lives to undo environmental law, promoting logging
where it will have the greatest environmental impact but offer the least protection
to citizen's homes and communities. These actions ignore the ecological benefit
of wildfires and the urgency of dealing with the potential loss of life.
Where fires burned
The majority of fires burn outside of national
forest boundaries contrary to the administration and legislative focus on federal
forests.
Based on 2002 Statistics and Summary
Report from the National Interagency Fire Center
| | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 |
| Undeveloped
Acres Burned | 7,184,706 | 3,570,911 | 8,422,237 |
| % Burned in National Forests | 33.83% | 16.67% | 25.40% |
| % of Fires Started on National Forests | 12.49% | 13.40% | |
The national forest's share of the
annual wildland fire total.
Information compiled
from the National Interagency Fire Center data and the Pacific Biodiversity Institute
analysis.
Since 1992, only 21.4% of the total acres burned were on national
forest land. More significant are the state, tribal, and private lands that contain
the vast majority of the community protection zones - the 200 feet adjacent to
homes and ¼ mile buffer zone for firefighters around communities. Scientific
research clearly shows that actions outside this zone do little to reduce fire
risk to life and home.Fires don't just burn in forests
Of the 8,422,237
acres that burned during the 2000 fire season, only a small percentage were forest.
Most of the areas burned were grasslands, sage brush, juniper and chaparrel. Many
forest ecosystems are dependant on intense fires for reproduction and natural
maintenance.
Various tree species have different relationships to fire.
Lodgepole pine and giant sequoia need hot fires to open their seed cones. Ponderosa
and Jeffery pine grow thick bark to guard against the heat of ground fires. Generally
speaking, forests that grow in cooler and wetter conditions have a longer fire
return rate (the average years between fire occurrence), and those that grow in
drier and warmer conditions have shorter fire return rates. Some forests naturally
grow thickly, while others are more widely spaced. The amount of percipitation
influences the number of trees per acre, but so too does the exclusion of natural
fire. A one size fits all strategy to address forest fire will never work.
What "acres burned" means
Acres burned is a general
term that is not relative actual acres but typically is a calculation of the total
acres within a fire perimeter. Firefighters attempt to contain fires within a
fire perimeter. Within a perimeter, forest fire creates a mix of areas burned
at different severities, including areas where no fire occurred. A patchwork forest
created by mixed-severity fire creates a variety of plant and wildlife habitat
stages that stimulate healthy ecosystem functions.
Acres burned since
1991
An average of about 4 million acres have burned every year for the
last ten years (1991-2000)...but this is well below the average for the last 100
years. The average of 13.9 million acres burned in the last three years is an
anomoly when compared to the historical average of 4 million acres.
Logging
impacts fire severity
Fire risk is increased by logging and mechanical
thinning that opens up a forest canopy to increased drying effects of wind and
sunlight. Science has clearly shown a causal connection between fire intensity
and logging debris. In the 2002 Biscuit fire in California and Oregon, previoulsy
logged areas suffered more vegetation damage than unlogged areas (up to 26% more).
Logging and logging roads greatly impact soil structure and increase surface erosion.
Most fire starts are associated with human activities. Two of the largest fires
in 2002 (Hayman (CO), Rodeo-Chediski (AZ)) were arson-caused.
If logging
were the panacea to prevent forest fire that the timber industry says it is, then
centuries of logging should have us in better shape then ever, but such is not
the case. In most instances, prescribed (human ignited) and natural fire can alone
be used to reduce fuel loads even in drier forests. Where logging is necessary,
operations can be carried out on dry, frozen or snow covered ground, so to the
extent possible, soils are protected.
For more information please
contact the Kettle Range Conservation Group 509-775-2667 or via email dheflick@kettlerange.org
