A Fuels Management Bibliography with Subject Index M.E

A Fuels Management Bibliography With Subject Index M.E. Alexander

he primary purpose of fuels vide a comprehensive review and a 70-year record of publishing on management has been to lessen bibliography of the entire field. all aspects of wildland fire manage- T potential fire behavior and, ment. While early emphasis was on thereby, increase the probability of The current efforts of the Forest fire protection and fire suppression, successful containment (Alexander Service’s (2004) Applied Wildland it wasn’t long before articles deal- 2003). More specifically, it has been Fire Research in Support of Project ing with fuels management began to decrease the rate of fire and, in Level Hazardous Fuels Planning to appear. turn, fire size and intensity—as well Project to review and summarize as crowning and spotting potential. the existing information on fuel Bunton (2000), in Fire treatments in dry forests of the Management Today issue 60(1), In recent years, fuels management Western United States () are all the fuels management related reducing or minimizing the adverse obviously a very worthy undertak- articles that had been published impacts of wildfires (Agee and ing. Commensurate with this effort between 1970 and 1999 in Fire Skineer 2005; Outcalt and Wade has been the publication of recent Control Notes, Fire Management, 2004; Weatherspoon and Skinner symposia proceedings (Omi and and Fire Management Notes. 1995). Joyce 2003; Andrews and Butler 2006). But much still remains to be Unfortunately, knowing what Need for Bibliography collated and summarized. articles have been published on I’ve found that very few efforts have the subject of fuels management been made to summarize the exist- Thus, this need for a comprehen- between 1936 and 1969 is not so ing literature on the subject of fuels sive bibliography of relevant arti- readily available. Summary indexes management and its effectiveness in cles on fuels management for both were published by Fire Control boreal and temperate ecosystems. manager and research alike. That is Notes in 1942, 1955, 1963, and what this bibliography—presented 1969. A few exceptions can be found in this article—is intended to do. on selected topics (e.g., Agee and It consolidates and highlights what Thanks to a concerted effort 2000; Alexander 2002, 2004c, 2005, Fire Management Today and its pre- by several people, with Delvin 2006b; Fernandes and Botelho decessors provide regarding fuels Bunton, systems analyst, Forest 2003; Greenlee and Sapsis 1996; management, up to, and including, Service, Ecosystem Management Martin and Brackebusch 1974; the Fall 2006 (Vol. 66, No. 4) issue. Coordination Staff, Natural Martinson and Omi 2003). However, This fulfills a void that existing bib- Resource Information System, there has been no attempt to pro- liographies have failed to address Sandy, OR, taking the lead, all (Schumann 2001; Kumagai and past issues of Fire Management Daniels 2002). Today, as well as the journal’s Dr. Marty Alexander is a senior fire behav- predecessors—Fire Control Notes, ior research officer with the Canadian Forest Service, Northern Forestry Centre, This comprehensive bibliography Fire Management Notes, and Fire and an adjunct professor of widland includes 117 articles—listed under Management—are now available on fire science and management in the 12 subject areas—that date back to Fire Management Today’s Web site Department of Renewable Resources, () University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, 1939. Canada. At the time of this writing, he was (Editor 2006). This accessibility has on assignment as a senior researcher with Seven-Decade greatly increased the exposure of the Wildland Fire Operations Research Publishing Record the journal for the global wildland Group, Forest Engineering Research fire management community. Institute of Canada, Hinton, Alberta, Fire Management Today and its Canada. predecessors, collectively, now have

Fire Management Today 44 Bibliographies This comprehensive bibliography includes By Subject 117 articles—listed under 12 subject areas— that date back to 1939. Broadcast Slash, Pile, and Snag Burning Ash, L.W. 1951. Paper-covered piled slash. Murphy, J.L.; Green, L.R.; Bentley, J.R. Keeley, J.E. 2005. Chaparral fuel modifica- Fire Control Notes. 12(3): 18–19. 1967. Fuel–breaks – effective aids, not tion: What do we know – and need to Fahnestock G.R. 1954. Roofing slash piles cure–alls. Fire Control Notes. 28(1): 4–5. know? Fire Management Today. 65(4): can save—or lose—you dollars. Fire Murphy, E.E.; Murphy, J.L. 1965. Value of a 11–12. Control Notes. 15(3): 22–26. timber fuel break – the Wet Meadow Fire. Manning, D. 1990. Vegetative management Gilmore, R.; Blaine, C. 1960. Box for paper Fire Control Notes. 26(4): 3–4. in the wildland–urban interface. Fire used to cover slash piles. Fire Control Sipe, H. 1953. Railroad bulldozers fire- Management Notes. 51(4): 14–15. Notes. 21(1): 29–30. break. Fire Control Notes. 14(4): 29. Waisel, Y.; Friedman, J. 1966. Use of tama- Johansen, R.W. 1981. Windrows vs. small Wagstaff, A.J. 1942. Firebreak prevents rix trees to restrict fires in Israel. Fire piles for forest debris disposal. Fire larger fires. Fire Control Notes. 6(3): Control Notes. 27(2): 3–4, 15. Management Notes. 42(2): 7–9. 114–115, 127. Johnson, V.J. 1984. How shape affects Williston, H.L.; Conarro, R.M. 1970. Fuel Hazards the burning of slash piled debris. Fire Firebreak of many uses. Fire Control Dell, J.D. 1970. Road construction slash: Management Notes. 45(3): 12–15. Notes. 31(1): 11–13. Potential fuse for wildfire? Fire Control Maule, W.M. 1954. Hazard reduction by Notes. 31(1): 3. snag burning. Fire Control Notes. 15(3): Fuel Conversion Forman, O.L.; Longarce, D.W. 1971. Fire 27–29. potential increased by weed killers. Fire Morford, L. 1958. Slash disposal by burn- and Vegetation Control Notes. 31(3): 11–12 ing on the Klamath. Fire Control Notes. Manipulation Johnson, R.F. 1963. The roadside fire prob- 19(4): 141–143. Baldwin, J.J. 1968. Chaparral conversion lem. Fire Control Notes. 24(1); 5–7. Schimke, H.E.; Murphy, J.L. 1966. provides multiple benefits on the Tonto Nordwell, D.S. 1941. Spread of cheatgrass Protective coatings of asphalt and wax National Forest. Fire Control Notes. increases fire hazard. Fire Control Notes. emulsions for better slash burning. Fire 29(4): 8–10. 5(3): 143. Control Notes. 27(2): 5–6. Davis, W.S. 1949. The rate of spread–fuel Tester, M.E. 1964. Fire hazard on Tobago. Stradt, G.H. 1950. Debris burning on the density relationship. Fire Control Notes. Fire Control Notes. 25(2): 11–12, 16. Ouachita. Fire Control Notes. 11(4): 4–5. 10(2): 8–9. USDA Forest Service, Division of Fire USDA Forest Service, Region 6, Division Editor. 1954. Sheep fight fire. Fire Control Research. 1951. Are snags a fire problem? of Fire Control. 1952. Paper for covering Notes. 15(3): 26. Fire Control Notes. 12(4): 19. piled slash. Fire Control Notes. 13(3): 46. Farnsworth, A.; Summerfelt, P. 2002. Williams, D.E. 1956. Fire hazard resulting Flagstaff interface treatment prescription: from jack pine slash. Fire Control Notes. Chemical Fuel Results in the wildland–urban interface. 17(4): 1–8. Treatments Fire Management Today. 62(2): 13–18. Blanchard, R.K. 1947. Killing brush with 2, 4–D. Fire Control Notes. 8(2/3): 13–17. Bruce, H.D. 1939. Sterilizing soil with chemicals for firebreak maintenance. Fire This Is What Fuel Management Control Notes. 3(1): 17–21. Is All About Davis, J.B. 1971. Diammonium phosphate prevents roadside fires. Fire Control Where we manage land for spe- all land use activities will some Notes. 32(1): 7–9. cific uses, we alter the timing, way influence the potential for Morton, D.H.; Fine, E. 1969. Chemical thinning reduces fire hazard. Fire Control amount, and condition of the veg- vegetation to be adversely affected Notes. 30(3): 5–7, 15. etation and associated debris. We by insect or disease epidemics, Ward, E.J. 1957. The effect of certain veg- change its readiness to burn. We windthrow or breakage, wildfire, etation eradicators on the flammability of various materials. Fire Control Notes. convert green fuel to dead fuel. and other hazards. The choices 18(1): 29–32. As a strictly functional activity we make concerning what, where, of fire protection, fuel manage- and how we manipulate vegeta- Firebreaks and ment could lead one into the trap tion ought to be tempered by the Fuelbreaks of managing land simply for the expected hazard associated with Crandall, C.R. 1980. Firebreaks for railroad sake of successful fire control. such activities. This, basically, rights–of–way. Fire Management Notes. To avoid this trap, we must view is what fuel management is all 41(4): 9–10. Davis, W.S. 1951. Nebraska firebreaks. Fire fuel management in relation to about. Control Notes. 12(1): 40–43. all land management objectives. –A. P. Brackebusch (1973) Dell, J.D. 1965. A new experimental fire We must be keenly aware that area in Southern California. Fire Control Notes. 26(3): 5–7.

Volume 67 • No. 1 • Winter 2007 45 Hof, J. 2004. Diversifying fuels man- Fuel Management agement to offset uncertainty. Fire Fuel Properties Decision Support Management Today. 64(2): 22–23. and Assessment Systems and Aids Graham, R.T.; Finney, M.A.; Cohen, J.; Techniques Robichaud, P.R.; Romme, W.; Kent, Editor. 1981. Need help with fuels apprais- Bruce, D. 1952. Fuel weights on the B. 2005. Hayman Fire impacts. Fire al? Fire Management Notes. 42(4): 7. Osceola National Forest. Fire Control Management Today. 65(1): 19–22. Hirsch, S.N.; Radloff, D.L. 1981. A method Notes. 12(3): 20–23. Laughlin, D.C.; Zule, P.Z. 2006. Meeting for making activity–fuel management Buck, C.C. 1951. Flammability of chaparral forest ecosystem objectives with wildland decisions. Fire Management Notes. 42(3): depends on how it grows. Fire Control fire use. Fire Management Today. 66(4): 5–9. Notes. 12(4): 27. 21-24. Radloff, D.L. 1984. Using decision analysis Dieterich, J.H. 1963. Litter fuels in red pine Limtiaco, D. 2002. A fire hazard mitigation to evaluate fire hazard effects of timber plantations. Fire Control Notes. 24(4): plan for Guam. Fire Management Today. harvesting. Fire Management Notes. 103–106. 62(1): 25–28. 45(1): 10–16. Fastabend, M. 2002. Kenai Peninsula Lowden, M.S. 1947. Slash disposal in selec- Scott, J. 1999. NEXUS: a system for assess- Borough: A spruce bark beetle mitigation tive cuts ponderosa pine stands. Fire ing crown fire hazard. Fire Management program. Fire Management Today. 62(1): Control Notes. 8(4): 35–40. Notes. 59(2): 20–24. 22. Martin, G.G. 1988. Fuel treatment assess- Ward, F.R. 1982. Drafting guidelines to Greenlee, D.; Greenlee, J. 2002. Changes ment – 1985 fire season in Region 8. Fire manage forest residues. Fire Management in fire hazard as a result of the Cerro Management Notes. 49(4): 21–24. Notes. 43(4): 12–17. Grande Fire. Fire Management Today. Maupin, J. 1979. Developing a long–range 62(1): 15–21. fuel program. Fire Management Notes. Miller, R.K.; Schwandt, D.L. 1979. Slash Fuel Management 40(1): 3–5. fuel weights in red pine plantations. Fire Problems and Issues Management Notes. 40(1): 6–7. Beal, D. 2005. Rodeo–Chediski: Some Pyne, S.J. 2000. No fuel like an old fuel. underlying questions. Fire Management Fire Management Today Fire Management Today. 60(4): 4–5. Today. 65(1): 13–15. Rouse, C.; Paananen, D.M. 1988. A quick Dombeck, M. 2001. How can we reduce and its predecessors method to determine Northeastern wood the fire danger in the Interior West? Fire now have a 70-year fuel weights. Fire Management Notes. Management Today. 61(1): 5–13. 46(2): 24–25. Keller, P. 2005a. Arizona’s Rodeo–Chediski record of publishing on Weise, D.R.; Saveland, J.M. 1996. Fire: A forest health problem. Fire Monitoring live fuel moisture – a task Management Today. 65(1): 7–9. all aspects of wildland force report. Fire Management Notes. Keller, P. 2005b. Rodeo–Chediski: Tribal fire management. 56(3): 12–16. loss. Fire Management Today. 65(1): Woodard, P.M.; Pickford, S.G.; Martin, R.E. 10–12. 1976. Predicting weights of Douglas–fir Klinger, K.E.; Wilson, C.W. 1968. What are Mills, D.P. 2006. Wildland fire use success slash for material up to 3 inches in diam- we going to do about the brush in south- stories. Fire Management Today. 66(4): eter. Fire Management Notes. 37(3): 8–9, ern California? Fire Control Notes. 29(1): 16-18. 12. 3–6. Moore, S.T. 1960. Slash disposal in fire Linstedt, K.W. 1950. The mounting planning. Fire Control Notes. 21(2): Fuel Treatment Douglas–fir slash problem in western 60–61. Oregon and Washington – what can we Morrison, J. 1964. Fire hazard manage- Effectiveness do about it? Fire Control Notes. 11(3): ment. Fire Control Notes. 25(2): 13–15. Banks, W.G.; Little, S. 1964. The forest fires 22–24. Morrison, J. 1968. Fire hazard management of April 1963 in New Jersey point the way Williams, J. 2005a. American’s wildlands: A in the Bitterroot – a further report. Fire to better protection and management. future in peril. Fire Management Today. Control Notes. 29(3): 3, 16. Fire Control Notes. 25(3): 3–6. [repub- 65(3): 4–7. Nasiatka, P.; Christenson, D. 2006. lished as: Fire Management Today. 63(3): Williams, J. 2005b. Reconciling frictions in Measuring success in your fuels program. 74–78. 2003] policy to sustain fire–dependent ecosys- Fire Management Today. 66(4): 57058. Cron, R.H. 1969. Thinning as an aid to fire tems. Fire Management Today. 65(4): 4–8. Nelson, N.D. 1941. Fire hazard reduction: control. Fire Control Notes. 30(1): 3. an instrument for desirable forest pro- Dieterich, J.H. 1976. Jet stream influence Fuel Management tection and management. Fire Control on the Willow Fire. Fire Management Notes. 5(2): 81–83. Notes. 37(2): 6–8. [republished as: Fire Programs, Policies, Philpot, C.W. 1974. New fire control Management Today. 63(4): 17–19. 2004] Strategies, and strategy developed for chaparral. Fire Helms, J.A. 1979. Positive effects of pre- Training Management. 35(1): 3–7. scribed burning on wildfire intensities. Stewart, S. 2006. SPOTS: Maximizing fuel Fire Management Notes. 40(3): 10–13. Anderson, H.T. 1964. Brush clearance for and vegetation management effectiveness. [republished as: Fire Management Today. structural protection. Fire Control Notes. Fire Management Today. 66(3): 22–26. 66(1): 65–68. 2006.] 25(4): 9–10. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Keeley, J.E. 2005. Lessons from the 2003 Editor. 1973. A new dimension in fire pre- Forest and Range Experiment Station. fire siege in California. Fire Management vention. Fire Management. 34(2): 20. Slash disposal and forest management Today. 65(4): 9–10. Freeman, D.R. 1982. The fuel management after clear cutting in the Douglas–fir Keller, P. 2005a. Treatment success on the training series. Fire Management Notes. region. Fire Control Notes. 5(4): 213. Rodeo–Chediski Fire. Fire Management 43(3): 10–13. Whitson, J.B. 1983. An attempt to limit Today. 65(2): 30–31. wildfires through prescribed burning Keller, P. 2005b. Treatment area saves assistance. Fire Management Notes. ranger station. Fire Management Today. 44(1): 16–17. 65(3): 37. Fire Management Today 46 Keyes, C.R.; Varner, J. M. 2006. Pitfalls in Shenk, W.D.; Harlan, R.N. 1972. Mounted Alexander, M.E. 2006. Forest health: Fire the silvicultural treatment of canopy in place of dozer blade, crusher–cutter behavior considerations. In: Appendix— fuels. Fire Management Today. 66(3): efficiently disposes of slash. Fire Control DVD, proceedings of post-harvest stand 46–50. Notes. 33(2): 5–7. development conference, Edmonton, Pirsko, A.R. 1963. More grass – less fire Tyree, J. 1980. Slash burning equipment. Alberta. January 31-February 1, 2006. damage. Fire Control Notes. 24(1): 8–9. Fire Management Notes. 41(2): 19–20. Sponsored by Foothills Growth and Raymond, C.; Peterson, D.L. 2005. How did Van, S.H.; Gallagher, D.G. 1968. Disposal Yield Association, Alberta Forest Genetic prefire treatments affect the Biscuit Fire? of logging slash with a “rolling chopper”. Resources Council, and Forest Resource Fire Management Today. 65(2): 18–22. Fire Control Notes. 29(2): 7–8. Improvement Association of Alberta, Scott, J. 1998. Reduce fire hazards in Ward, F.R.; Russell, J.W. 1975. High–lead Hinton, Alberta, Foothills Model Forest. ponderosa pine by thinning. Fire scarification: an alternative for site prepa- Andrews, P.L.; Butler, B.W., comps. 2006. Management Notes. 58(1): 20–25. ration and fire–hazard reduction. Fire Fuels management—how to measure Management. 36(4): 3–4, 19. success: Conference proceedings, March Mechanical and Other Weatherhead, D.J. 1969. Fuel treatment 28-30, 2006, Portland, OR. Proc. RMRS- systems for partially cut stands. Fire P-41. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service, Fuel Treatments Control Notes. 36(2): 11. Rocky Mountain Research Station. Asher, R.L. 1967. A new tool for slash dis- Brackebusch, A.P. 1973. Fuel management: posal. Fire Control Notes. 28(3): 11–12. Thinning Slash A prerequisite not an alternative to fire Cook, W.R. 1966. Slash disposal by chip- control. Journal of Forestry. 71: 637–639. pers. Fire Control Notes. 27(2): 7. Alexander, M.E.; Yancik, R.F. 1977. The Bunton, D.R. 2000. Subject index – Editor. 1958. Slash disposal by dozer, effect of precommercial thinning on fire Volumes 31–59. Fire Management Today. northern Rocky Mountains. Fire Control potential in a lodgepole pine stand. Fire 60(1): 32–94. Notes. 19(4): 144–154. Management Notes. 38(3): 7–9, 20. Editor. 2006. All our past issues now avail- Getz, D. 1973. Domesticated Bobcat: Appleby, R.W. 1970. Thinning slash and fire able on the Web. Fire Management Today. something new in slash disposal. Fire control. Fire Control Notes. 31(1): 8–10. 66(3):59. Management. 34(4): 14–15. Dell, J.D.; Franks, D.E. 1971. Thinning Fernandes, P.M.; Botelho, H.S. 2003. A Johnson, G.B. 1947. Army explosive for slash contributes to eastside Cascade review of prescribed burning effectiveness hazard reduction. Fire Control Notes. wildfires. Fire Control Notes. 31(1): 4–6. in fire hazard reduction. International 8(1): 42–44. Journal of Wildland Fire. 12: 117–128. Johnson, R.E. 1992–93. Shred, don’t burn References Greenlee, J.M.; Sapsis, D.B. 1996. Prefire – an alternative for treating slash on Agee, J.K.; Bahro, B.; Finney, M.A.; effectiveness in fire management: A steep terrain. Fire Management Notes. Omi, P.N.; Sapsis, D.B.; Skinner, C.N.; summary and a review of the state–of– 53–54(4): 14–16. van Wagtendonk, J.W.; Weatherspoon, knowledge. Fairfield, WA: International Lambert, M. 1975. Treating and utilizing C.P. 2000. The use of fuelbreaks in land- Association of Wildland Fire. [see also: slash. Fire Management. 36(2): 8. scape fire management. Forest Ecology ] San Dimas forestland residues machine. Agee, J.K.; Skinner, C.N. 2005. Basic prin- Kumagai, Y.; Daniels, S.E.. 2002. Social sci- Fire Management Notes. 38(3): 3–6. ciples of forest fuel reduction treatments. ence in fuel management: An annotated McRorey, R.P. 1974. A vital concern: Fuel Forest Ecology and Management. 211: bibliography. Res. Contrib. 36. Corvallis, treatment and aircraft equipment needs. 83-96. OR: Oregon State University, College of Fire Management. 35(2): 18–21. Alexander, M.E. 2002. An emerging fire Forestry. Mullin, H.A. 1950. Mullin dozer tooth management issue in Canada: Forest–fire Lyman, C.K. 1945. Principles of fuel reduc- shank aids in slash disposal and fire line fuels. Canadian Silviculturist. 2002(Fall): tion. Northwest Science. XVIII: 44–48. construction. Fire Control Notes. 11(4): 5, 14–15. Martin, R.E.; Brackebusch, A.P. 1974. Fire 6–9. Alexander, M.E. 2003. Understanding fire hazard and conflagration prevention. Murphy, J.L.; Fritschen, L.J.; Cramer, O.P. behavior –– the key to effective fuels In: Cramer, O.P., organizer and tech. ed. 1970. Slash burning: Pollution can be management. Invited Keynote Address Environmental Effects of Forest Residues reduced. Fire Control Notes. 31(3): 3–5. presented at the Forest Engineering Management in the Pacific Northwest: Nelson, M.M. 1951. Study of portable wood Research Institute of Canada–Wildland A State–of–Knowledge Compendium. chipper. Fire Control Notes. 12(2): 9. Fire Operations Research Group Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW–24. Portland, OR: Pokela, R.W. 1972. Rolling chopper disposes Sponsored Fuel Management Workshop, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest of pine slash. Fire Control Notes. 33(2): October 6–8, 2003, Hinton, Alberta. [http: Forest and Range Experiment Station: 7–8. //fire.feric.ca/36232003/WorkshopPresent G–1–G–30. Ritter, E. 1950. Mechanical fire hazard ation1.htm] Martinson, E.J.; Omi, P.N. 2003. reducer. Fire Control Notes. 11(2): 30–31. Alexander, M.E. 2004. Can wildland con- Performance of fuel treatments sub- Roberts, A. 1949. Slash piling by machine flagrations be stopped? Hinton, Alberta: jected to wildfires. In: Omi, P.N.; Joyce, on the Southern Idaho Forest Protective Forest Engineering Research Institute L.A., tech. eds. Fire, Fuel Treatments, District. Fire Control Notes. 10(2): 1–4. of Canada, Wildland Fire Operations and Ecological Restoration: Conference Schaeffer, G.K. 1954. Strip cutting in dense Research Group. [http://fire.feric.ca/other/ Proceedings. Proc. RMRS–P–29. Fort pine stands on Osceola National Forest. CanWildlandConflagrationsBeStopped.h Collins, CO: USDA Forest Service, Rocky Fire Control Notes. 15(1): 12–13 tm] Mountain Research Station: 7–13. Simpson, T.H. 1959. Slash disposal program Alexander, M.E. 2005. Fuel management in Omi, P.N.; Joyce, L.A., tech eds. 2003. Fire, on the Happy Camp Ranger District. Fire relation to wildland fire prevention: fuel treatments, and ecological restora- Control Notes. 29(4): 133–137. A new and/or old concept? Hinton, tion: Conference proceedings. Proc. Schimke, H.E.; Dougherty, R.H. 1967. Alberta: Forest Engineering Research RMRS-P-29. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Disposing of slash, brush, and debris in Institute of Canada, Wildland Fire Service, Rocky Mountain Research a machine–loaded burner. Fire Control Operations Research Group. [http: Station. Notes. 28(3): 7–9. //fire.feric.ca/other/FuelManagementAnd Fire.htm]

Volume 67 • No. 1 • Winter 2007 47 Outcalt, K.W.; Wade, D.D. 2004. Fuels management reduces tree mortality from On Developing the Sound wildfires in the Southeastern United Principles of Fuel Reduction States. Southern Journal of Applied Forestry. 28(1): 28–34. The lack of factual information much better results than can be Schumann, M. 2001. Annotated bibliogra- and specific knowledge regarding obtained by relying on the hur- phy: Fuel treatments and fire behavior. Santa Fe, NM: National Community fire influences and the techniques ried judgements of many differ- Forestry Center, Southwest Region. of relative social and econom- ent administrators. The problems USDA Forest Service. 2004. Fuels plan- ics appraisals is handicap to the of fuel reduction are so complex ning: science synthesis and integration; fact sheet: the fuels synthesis project development of sound principles that busy administrative men can overview. Res. Note RMRS–RN–19–WWW. of fuel reduction. Estimating and do little more than guess, and Fort Collins, CO: USDA Forest Service, theorizing may have to be relied such guesses are an obviously Rocky Mountain Research Station. Weatherspoon, C.P; Skinner, C.N. 1995. on more than desirable. But if the inadequate basis for guiding the An assessment of factors associated with work is done systematically, cau- expenditures of millions of dollars damage to tree crowns from the 1987 tiously, and prudently, the guides for post-war work. wildfires in California. Forest Science. 41: that are developed should produce 430–451.  –C.K. Lyman (1945)

Covered Pile Burning: A Safe and Effective Technique for Fuel Removal

The burning of piled slash is a the years, including polyethylene This should provide a valuable well-established technique for film or “black plastic”—no longer technique for fuel removal within disposing of thinning, logging, recommended due to environ- the wildland/urban interface. and other woody debris (Beaufait mental concerns (Garrett 1994). 1966, Luke and others 1993, For current information on paper References Olson and Fahnestock 1955, specifically designed for covering Beaufait, W.R. 1966. Prescribed fire plan- Steele 1960). This fuels manage- slash piles, see, for example, the ning in the Intermountain West. Res. Pap. INT–26. Ogden, UT: Forest Service, ment bibliography included four wax paper offered by Terra Tech, Intermountain Forest and Range long-forgotten articles on covered LLC* (). Garrett, S. 1994. Slash pile covers. Fire Fahnestock (1954), Gilmore and Manage. Tech Tips 9451 1309–SDTDC. San Dimas, CA: Forest Service, San Blaine (1960), and Forest Service, Covering slash piles should not Dimas Technology and Development Region 6, Division of Fire Control serve as a panacea for doing a poor Center. (1952) on page 45. job of constructing slash piles Luke, A.B.; Scarlett, D.J.; Archibald, D.J. 1993. Roadside slash pile burn- that will not readily ignite and be ing in northeastern Ontario. Tech. It appears that Ash (1951), an completely consumed (Olson and Note TN–002. Timmins, Ontario: assistant district ranger on the Fahnestock 1955). However, cov- Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Northeast Science and Technology. Rogue River National Forest in ered pile burning does provide the Olson, D.S.; Fahnestock, G.R. 1955. southern Oregon, originally came advantage of lowering the moisture Logging slash; A study of the problem up with the idea of covering piled content of the protected fuels and, in Inland Empire forests. Bulletin No. slash. To increase the ease and therefore, allows burning at a time 1. Moscow, ID: University of Idaho, College of Forestry, Wildlife, and Range efficiency of burning woody debris of year when either heavy rains or Experiment Station. piles, he used Kraft No. 30 water- a snowfall has eliminated risk of Steele, R.W. 1960. Fuel hazard rating proof paper to cover and protect escape. of slash on state and private lands in the fuels from precipitation prior Montana. Bulletin No. 14. Missoula, * The use of trade, firm, or corporation names in this MT: Montana State University, School to burning. publication is for the information and convenience of Forestry, Montana Forest and of the reader. Such use does not constitute an official Conservation Experiment Station. endorsement of any product or service by the U.S. Other covering or roofing materi- Department of Agriculture. Individual authors are responsible for the technical accuracy of the material als have been tried and used over presented in Fire Management Today.

Fire Management Today 48