Assessing Post-fire Douglas-fir Mortality and Douglas-fir Beetle Attacks in the Northern Rocky Mountains

Douglas-fir has life history traits that greatly enhance resistance to injury from fire, thereby increasing post-fire survival rates. Tools for predicting the probability of tree mortality following fire are important components of both pre-fire planning and post-fire management efforts. Using data from mixed-severity wildfire in Montana and Wyoming, Hood and Bentz (2007) developed models for predicting the probability of Douglas-fir mortality and Douglas-fir bark beetle attack based on fire injury and stand characteristics. This guide is based on information in Hood and Bentz (2007) and is intended for use in development of post-fire management and prescribed burn plans. Included are descriptions of both models and variables that significantly influence post-fire Douglas-fir mortality and bark beetle attack. A supplemental field guide provides photographs of a range of levels for each fire-related injury and descriptions for measuring each characteristic in the field. Also provided are discussions on how to interpret Douglas-fir mortality and bark beetle attack models for use in management decision-making regarding wild and prescribed fires in the Northern Rocky Mountains.

Author: United States Department of Agriculture

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Publication Date: Jun 25, 2015

Number of Pages: 38 pages

Binding: Paperback or Softback

ISBN-10: 1511614501

ISBN-13: 9781511614504