Environmental Assessment for the Mormon Lake Basin Fuel Reduction Project. Coconino National Forest.

摘要

This project area lies entirely on national forest lands of the Mormon Lake Ranger District, Coconino N.F. It is adjacent to private property along the southwest side of the community of Mormon Lake. For many years, fire personnel and resource specialists have been concerned that a severe wildfire could occur in this area and about the effects it could have on the Mormon Lake community, wildlife habitat, and the forest as a whole. The project area has ground fuel loading, fuel ladders, and dense canopy conditions that could propagate a severe crown fire. Forty-four percent of the project area rated as extreme, very-high, or high fire hazard. Only 472 of the 2,831 acres rated as low fire hazard When combined with the very high to extreme fire danger weather that occurs in May and June, these fuel conditions could result in fires within the project area that would be difficult to control by initial attack forces. Models indicate that tree torching with spot fires would be common. A crown fire could develop and spread quickly into the Mormon Lake community. Crown fires occurring upwind of the project area could continue to carry across the project area with its current dense canopy conditions.