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POST-WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT OF SOIL

Dan NearyResearch Soil Scientist

U.S. Forest ServiceFlagstaff, AZ

POSTPOST--WILDFIRE WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT OF SOILMANAGEMENT OF SOIL

Dan NearyDan NearyResearch Soil ScientistResearch Soil Scientist

U.S. Forest ServiceU.S. Forest ServiceFlagstaff, AZFlagstaff, AZ

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OutlineOutlineClimate Change

Severity of Forest Fires

Soil Effects of Severity

Ecosystem Effects

What can we do: post-wildfire soil management

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CLIMATE CHANGE & GLOBAL FIRESCLIMATE CHANGE & GLOBAL FIRESJUNE JUNE –– AUGUST 2005AUGUST 2005

Is this a normal situation? Or is it out of bounds??

Is this a normal situation? Or is it out of bounds??

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Key Factors Effecting SeverityKey Factors Effecting Severity

Weather that is hotter and drier causes fires that are larger and more severe.

Crown-Replacing Wildfires Fuel Load & Drought

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Components of Wildfire SeverityComponents of Wildfire Severity

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Components of Wildfire SeverityComponents of Wildfire Severity

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Components of Wildfire SeverityComponents of Wildfire Severity

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FIRE OUT OF FIRE OUT OF BOUNDSBOUNDS

SW REGION WILDFIRES - DECADE AVERAGE

0

50000

100000

150000

200000

250000

1910-1919

1920-1929

1930-1939

1940-1949

1950-1959

1960-1969

1970-1979

1980-1989

1990-1999

2000-2009

DECADE

AR

EA B

UR

NED

- ha

DROUGHT

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Forest Fire Forest Fire Severity Severity ClassesClasses

ExtremeExtreme

ModerateModerate

LowLow

Forest Fire Forest Fire Severity Severity ClassesClasses

ExtremeExtreme

ModerateModerate

LowLow

APACHEAPACHE--SITGREAVES SITGREAVES

National Forest ArizonaNational Forest Arizona

2002

MEGAMEGAFIRESFIRES

HIGH

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HEAT FLUXHEAT FLUX

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SOIL EFFECTSSOIL EFFECTSSOIL EFFECTS

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SOILS = ECOSYSTEM SKINSOILS = ECOSYSTEM SKINSOILS = ECOSYSTEM SKINOOEE

AA

BBhh

BBtt

BURNS1st

2nd

3rd

1st

2nd

3rd

1st

2nd

3rd

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Rx FIRE COCONINO NF

PONDEROSA PINE

Forest Fire Forest Fire Severity Severity ClassesClasses

ExtremeExtreme

ModerateModerate

LowLow

Forest Fire Forest Fire Severity Severity ClassesClasses

ExtremeExtreme

ModerateModerate

LowLow

HIGH

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PUMPKIN FIRE 2000, COCONINO NF

Forest Fire Forest Fire Severity Severity ClassesClasses

ExtremeExtreme

ModerateModerate

LowLow

Forest Fire Forest Fire Severity Severity ClassesClasses

ExtremeExtreme

ModerateModerate

LowLow

HIGH

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COON CREEK FIRE 2000

TONTO NF

Forest Fire Forest Fire Severity Severity ClassesClasses

ExtremeExtreme

ModerateModerate

LowLow

Forest Fire Forest Fire Severity Severity ClassesClasses

ExtremeExtreme

ModerateModerate

LowLow

HIGH

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WATER REPELLENCY

WATER DROPS

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Erosion ChannelsErosion Channels

FLOOD

DOWNCUT

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POSTPOST--FIRE EROSIONFIRE EROSION

Pase 6529 HIGHArizona - CH

Hendricks 44370 SEVEREArizona - MC

Glendenning 61204 SEVEREArizona - CH

Garcia 2005**109 SEVEREArizona - PP

Campbell 771 LOWArizona - PP

REFERENCEAMOUNTMg ha-1 yr-1

LOCATION

** RODEO-CHEDISKI FIRE 2000

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Erosion, Soil Degradation and Ecosystem Health

• Desertification

• Watershed Health

RUCKER LAKE CORONADO, FL

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DesertificationDesertification• Deterioration of plant and soil resources• Affects forest productivity• Ultimately a threat to water

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BURNED AREA EMERGENCY BURNED AREA EMERGENCY RESPONSE (BAER)RESPONSE (BAER)

• The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) program’s goal is protecting life, property, water quality, and deteriorated ecosystems from further damage after a wildfire is out.

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BAER POSTBAER POST--WILDFIRE SOIL WILDFIRE SOIL MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT

STRAW WATTLES

CONTOUR TRENCHES

LOG BARRIERS

CHECK DAMS

SEEDING

MULCH

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FOREST WATERSHEDSFOREST WATERSHEDS

Watersheds provide: • A source of water• A source of wood pulp• Recreational sites• Wildlife habitat• Ecosystem services

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SOCIOSOCIO--ECONOMIC IMPACTS:ECONOMIC IMPACTS:WATER CONSIDERATIONSWATER CONSIDERATIONS

• How Valuable is Water????

• 3,400 Communities Rely on National Forests For Water

• 50 – 75% of Nation’s Water Supply Originates on Forests

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RODEO-CHEDISKI FIRE 2002

....THE BOTTOM LINE…

1. WILDFIRES ARE NOTNEW

2. SIZE & SEVERITY ARE UP3. WILDFIRES CAN HAVE

SERIOUS EFFECTS ON SOIL RESOURCES

4. POST-FIRE SOIL MANAGEMENT IS IMPORTANT

5. WATER SUPPLY AT RISK

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THEENDTHE END