Northeast Region, Fire Ecology Annual Report: 2011

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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). Monitoring The fire effects monitoring team had a very efficient year servicing nearly 90 plots at five NPS units. Substantial progress was also made to other critical aspects of the program including protocol documentation, ArcGIS maps, database management and scanning historic program data. Despite rain, fog, cold temperatures, bears, bees and the stomach flu, a highly successful fire ecology summit was held at Shenandoah National Park. Southeast and Northeast fire ecology staff came together in an effort to share ideas and resources across regional boundaries and complete pre-burn plot installations. The summit was viewed as a great success by all who participated. At the end of this year, lead fire effects monitor Tyler Schmitt transferred to the Sequoia Kings Canyon fire effects monitoring crew. While Tyler was only with the crew for a short time, he brought a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and dedication to his job that will surely be missed! Fire Management Planning In an effort increase the amount of prescribed burning at Shenandoah, the fire ecology program collaborated with the Natural and Cultural Resources Division on several planning documents in 2011. A document prioritizing the use of prescribed fire by forest community type and Desired Future Conditions (DFC’s) was completed. Through geospatial modeling and scientific research this document spatially depicts the forest community types in Shenandoah that will benefit from the application of prescribed fire (see Appendix A). In conjunction with this document, a spatially interactive fuel loading map was also completed as part of a 2010 Research Reserve request. These two products will serve as the foundation for the parks budding prescribed fire program and will ensure that fire management activities are informed and supported by the best available scientific information. Compliance planning and completing the park’s five year plan will be the major focus for 2012 as the program.

Northeast Region, Fire Ecology Annual Report: 2011

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