MODELS: Using state-of-the-art fire behavior modeling and strategic placement of fuel treatments, fireshed assessments are an innovative approach to fuels problems in public lands management

摘要

Sitting around tables in the darkened room, a group of federal land managers, environmentalists, local residents, contractors and timber industry representatives stare intently at paper maps and projected GIS maps lining the side walls. These unlikelycollaborators are participating in a Stewardship and Fireshed Assessment for the Mendocino National Forest in California. Fireshed assessments have gained traction in California as a tool for fuels management planning in the state's national forests. Sofar workshops have been held in seven of the 11 national forests in California, with more planned in those remaining. Using state-of-the-art fire behavior modeling and strategic placement of fuel treatments, fireshed assessments are being hailed as an innovative approach to the tremendous fuels problem that is dominating public lands management across the country. The assessments have been found to be especially useful in areas where forest management is contested and fuel treatments of any variety are controversial.