Klamath Fire Ecology Program Annual Report: Calendar Year 2010

Author unknown

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 is the 18th annual report for the fire ecology program based out of Redwood National Park. The program has experienced several transformations in its almost 21 years of existence, and it is about to undergo another as both the Fire Ecologist and Lead Fire Effects Monitor vacate their positions by the end of March 2011. The Fire Ecology program tends 200 plots of mostly long-term vegetation and fuels monitoring data to help assess fire management treatments, refine fire management target conditions and objectives, and manage in an adaptive and proactive manner. Fire Effects Monitors Becky Smith, Miles Boiko, and Mindy Bumgarner sampled 100 plots, while Botanists 4 Extraordinaire Leonel Arguello and Stassia Samuels (REDW) sampled ten plots… making a grand total of 110 plots sampled during the 2010 field season. Lead Monitor Becky Smith also greatly assisted with prescribed burn season by finalizing plans, gaining signatures, making essential contacts, and implementing the burns as a Burn Boss trainee. It is not surprising that Becky Smith also received a Quality Step Increase award in 2010 to acknowledge her outstanding accomplishments.