Glacier National Park, Fire Ecology Annual Report: Calendar Year 2008

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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). Every year is unique, and 2008 proved itself to be a little more unique than other years. The program lost funding for two seasonal fire monitor positions, but by juggling (shortening) the seasons, we maintained two seasonal fire monitors for 7.5 payperiods. Fortunately, it worked out well for all concerned and we did not have to lay anyone off. We also had a Suppression Specialist vacancy until June and Mike McClellan, the Lead Fire Monitor, detailed to fill and help orient that position from April until July. Scott Lang was detailed into the Lead Fire Monitor position for the same time period. The 2008 fire season proved to be light to moderate; five starts with one WFU. All remained at one tenth of an acre. The ERC reached the 90% for about 3 weeks starting about August 1st. The Autumn Singularity was strong in 2008 and the ERC’s dropped out after August 18th and never recovered to a high fire danger level. The monitors did get dispatched to three small fires in the park and one in the Flathead National Forest. Most of the fire management staff was heavily involved in the Hwa SAR that lasted almost two weeks. Jien Hwa was a solo backpacker that disappeared on his first day out in late August. Although a huge effort was put forth and a couple thousand man hours were spent searching, no clues were ever found. Divoky filled the Situation Unit Leader, GIS Tech Support, and Logistics working under the Plans Chief, Dave Soleim. The rest of the fire staff, including all of the fire ecology staff were assigned as searchers, or helped with helicopter operations.

Glacier National Park, Fire Ecology Annual Report: Calendar Year 2008

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