Fire Ecology Annual Report: Calendar Year 2006; Saguaro National Park

Grissom, Perry

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). The fire ecologist position was filled, having been vacant since January 2004. During these tight fiscal times, filling the fire ecologist position meant not hiring any temporaries, so the fire ecology staff for 2006 consisted of James Leckie, Lead Fire Effects Monitor, and Perry Grissom. Some FMH plots were read, and rapid assessment methodology was tried, adapted from Yosemite National Park protocols. It was a slow fire season, with only two wildfires for about 8 acres on Saguaro NP and a large wildfire burned a small part of Coronado National Memorial early in the fire season. The area has been in a drought for over 5 years, and it was dry early in the year. There was the potential for a very active fire season, but when the monsoon came, it was very wet. Flooding was more common than wildfire. Due to drought early in the season, and green, wet conditions later, the Saddle prescribed burn was postponed to 2007. The lower elevations of the burn unit now have a major grass crop, where there had been little the previous year. SAGU’s Fire Management Plan was completed and should have a Record of Decision signed by next fire season, allowing Wildland Fire Use again. Currently only consultation with the SHPO is pending.

Fire Ecology Annual Report: Calendar Year 2006; Saguaro National Park

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