Teton Interagency Fire Ecology Annual Report: Calendar Year 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). The Teton Interagency Fire Ecology Program serves both Grand Teton National Park and the Bridger-Teton National Forest. In 2011, the program was staffed by Diane Abendroth, Fire Ecologist, Jon Freeman, Lead Fire Effects Monitor, Ron Steffens, Fuels Monitor, Kal Stromberg, Assistant Lead Monitor, Fire Effects Crew Members Jessica Haddon and Carly Monahan, and SCA Intern Joe Vaughn. In addition to these employees, Fire Ecology work depends on collaboration with numerous fire and resource managers and crews on the park and forest as well as Wyoming Game & Fish Department. This year the Lead Fire Effects Monitor was filled as a GS-7 permanent employee for the first time. There was also a seasonal Assistant Lead Monitor. As a result, there was an immediate and tangible improvement in the crew’s efficiency, fire preparedness, training, morale, and overall functionality. Also this year there were no injuries to report. The Fire Effects program provides science-based data collection for the evaluation of fire management treatment objectives. The crew also functions as red-carded wildland firefighters. In 2011, they visited 25 locations on the park and forest for plot work, and participated in numerous unplanned fires locally and in the Southwest. Special emphasis was placed on fire preparedness this year, and the crew responded by obtaining saw gear and rostering a qualified IA squad nearly every day of the season. They practices their engine, helicopter management, and cutting skills by helping out the other modules when time allowed. They also brought some of the other seasonal firefighters into the field with them so they could learn plot methods.

Teton Interagency Fire Ecology Annual Report: Calendar Year 2011

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