Big Thicket National Preserve, Fire Ecology Annual Report: Calendar Year 2006

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A summary of fire ecology activities and program information for the Park/network including fire effects plot workload, staffing, management objectives and monitoring results, and planning, fire monitoring, communications, and research. Also included are staff accomplishments/areas of focus, future program direction and other optional information (e.g. data analysis graphics or presentations, annual highlights, publications, program challenges, unique solutions to problems, collaboration, photographs of monitoring/fire activities, and suggestions on FFI). This was a year of recovery as Big Thicket National Preserve continued to clean up and monitor the damage from hurricane Rita (September 2005). Fortunately, this year did not bring a hurricane, however rainfall amounts resulted in some of the worst floods on record. The month of October brought almost 30 inches of rain flooding many portions of the preserve and causing more damage to resources and park infrastructure. By the end of 2006, we had a rainfall total of 85 inches (our yearly average is 50-55 inches). It has been frustrating and challenging working in these very wet conditions, however once drying weather arrives, we hope to accomplish several prescribed burns, resume mechanically treating hazard fuels, and continue work on longleaf pine restoration throughout the preserve. Throughout 2006, Big Thicket completed 4 prescribed burns, including the Solo burn that was recently a clear-cut plantation before the park service took ownership. Fire management conducted a prescribed burn to help site prep for planting longleaf pine seedlings. Resource management purchased 37,800 seedlings and The Nature Conservancy contracted and paid for the planting with funds from The Longleaf Ecosystem Restoration Project. This was possible because of an updated cooperative agreement with BTNP and TNC that allowed funds from the original 51 acre project to be applied to any longleaf restoration work throughout the preserve, including up to 8,000 acres. The fire ecologist started leading the longleaf pine restoration group meetings where BTNP resource management staff and TNC staff meet on a regular basis to discuss current and future projects concerning restoration of longleaf pine. This year, the fire management program received 2 years funding for a Gyro Trac and an equipment operator. The Gyro Trac has been utilized for hazardous fuel reduction and completed mechanical treatments in the Big Sandy Unit and the Turkey Creek Unit. In FY 07 the Gyro Trac will be focused on a 410 acre hazardous fuel reduction project. The Gyro Trac will also be used to prep certain fire lines. The fire effects program installed browns lines and took photopoints to monitor the Gyro Trac treatments. In July 2006, a 6.25 acre tract of land was donated to the park service to allow for a permanent fire management facility to be constructed. The fire management staff worked with the Intermountain region to prepare a blueprint and complete the NEPA work for the construction of the facility. The lead fire effects monitor conducted photo point and mechanical treatment monitoring and the seasonal fire effects monitor was able to complete a cultural resource assessment of the donated land. The fire ecologist worked on the comments to the EA, correspondence with the SHPO, and completing the FONSI. In July, Iola Hallock started work as the new lead fire effects monitor for BTNP. She transferred from the USFS with over 10 years experience in fire suppression and management. We are very happy to have her on staff and the year 2007 is sure to bring many accomplishments to our program with her added help. Iola has been assigned to track the live fuel moistures throughout the year and will be able to provide summary reports. In the Fall, Iola was also able to complete Gyro Trac plot reads with the assistance of a foreign exchange park ranger from Korea. Sang Ho Kim spent 5 weeks with Iola and was able to learn plot pr

Big Thicket National Preserve, Fire Ecology Annual Report: Calendar Year 2006

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