Fact Sheet / Brief
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In this analysis, we tested the influence of the suppression model on FSim simulations by running simulations in four regions with a range of nine suppression factors, and one simulation run without the suppression model. To test whether the suppression model resulted in fire shapes that were more similar to historical observed fires, we calculated six metrics of shape complexity from the simulated wildfire perimeters. We then compared these shape metrics to shape metrics of the historical wildfire perimeters in each region. This established that the suppression model contributed to closer agreement in shape metrics between simulated and historical fire perimeters, and that the suppression factor where this agreement was maximized differed between simulation areas.
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This brief shares insights from a June 4, 2024, prescribed fire field day hosted by the US Forest Service (USFS) and Great Basin Fire Science Exchange (GBFSE). The field day highlighted burn plan development in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) of Whites Creek on the Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest. It also serves as an example of the types of relationship-building and communication opportunities and products the GBFSE makes possible through regional fire management partnerships.
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This paper will explore the relationship of the climate-nature nexus to wildfire in four sections:
- Summarize the state of the science on how climate and ecosystem changes are exacerbating fire risk.
- Showcase opportunities where ecosystem services may be used to reduce fire hazard and support fire defences.
- Identify barriers to implementing such risk reduction measures.
- Propose policy, financial, and research tools where insurance sector risk expertise can support nature-positive wildfire mitigation at the landscape scale. This helps mitigate risk to support insurability
for the long haul.
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The dimensions of specialization, personal experience, and transmission of Indigenous Knowledges and Sciences (IKS) are diverse and complex. Researchers and professionals need to recognize this diversity and understand that the information gathered by Indigenous Peoples is collected and communicated in different ways. Immense variation is present among Indigenous cultural roles, languages, and oral histories, as well as in methods of obtaining information. In order for IKS to maintain its accuracy, reliability, and relevance, users must dedicate time and resources to its interpretation and contextualization. Western thought and reasoning does not inherently align with the complexities of Indigenous knowledge transmission; thus, working with tribal experts to gain well-rounded understanding and avoid bias is recommended.
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Two studies found that planting site climate, post-planting weather, planting season, tree seed lot sources, and tree species had particularly meaningful impacts on planted tree seedling performance after fire. Although the survival monitoring data used in both studies were limited to tree seedling survival after the first growing season, survival rates for this vulnerable period were linked to longer-term survival trends.
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This brief summarizes a recent study that assessed factors driving perceived defensibility through the lens of wildland firefighters to learn more about how they evaluate the risks associated with different structures. It provides insight into structure defensibility in action, and the factors that firefighters may consider when they engage a fire near structures.
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When we talk about wildfire fuel, we don’t mean gasoline or diesel. The term fuel refers to both dead and living vegetation that can burn, as well as homes and other structures that can ignite. This is particularly important in areas where urban development meets the natural environment, known as the wildland urban interface (WUI). Wildfires are becoming increasingly destructive across many ecosystems, including forests, woodlands, and rangelands. Climate change, human-caused ignitions, the encroachment of homes into the natural environment and the volume, density and health of fuel on the landscape all contribute to this escalating problem. In this fact sheet, we will explore some different “tools in the toolbox” for managing fuel in Nevada.
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In recent years, biochar has become a way to dispose of woody debris from forest activities. A new General Technical Report (GTR) has been published by the Rocky Mountain Research Station covering the eight types of biochar production available to land managers. This product will help increase the use of biochar and provide resources to inform those who are interested in it.
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Fire is strongly linked to outdoor recreation in the United States. Recreational uses of fires, whether in designated campgrounds or the backcountry, include warmth, cooking, and fostering a comfortable atmosphere. However, through inattention, negligence, or bad luck, recreational fires sometimes ignite wildfires. This paper evaluates whether the density of wildfire ignited by recreation or ceremony on U.S. Forest Service lands, and the size of such wildfires, is influenced by proximity to designated campgrounds, visitor density, previous and current drought conditions, and the type of vegetation surrounding the ignition point.
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We assessed whether issuance of Red Flag Warnings (RFWs) was associated with the number of human-caused wildfires and the probability of an ignition becoming a large wildfire (100 or more acres) across the western United States from 2006 through 2020. This information allowed us to examine the extent to which RFWs may reduce the number of human-caused wildfire ignitions.