Fire Ecology 101

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Fire Ecology 101
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Topics to Cover

• Fire Behavior
• Fire Ecology
• Fire and People

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The Fire Triangle
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Environmental Components

• Fuels
• Weather
• Topography

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Fuels

• Fuel Type
• Fuel Moisture
• Size and Shape
• Fuel Loading
• Horizontal Continuity
• Vertical Arrangement

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Weather

• Temperature
• Precipitation
• Wind
• Relative Humidity (RH)

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Topography

• Aspect
• Slope
• Position
• Shape of Country
• Elevation

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Ignition Sources
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Types of Fire
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Fire Regime Characteristics

• Type
• Frequency
• Intensity
• Severity
• Size
• Timing

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Fire and Secondary Succession
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Ponderosa Pine Example
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Longleaf Pine Example
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African Savanna Example
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Adaptations to Resist Fire

• Thick bark
• Self-pruning
• Rapid growth
• Deep rooting
• Fire-resistant foliage

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Adaptations to Promote Fire

• Retention of leaves and branches
• Flammable foliage
• Short stature

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Life History Adaptations

• Prolific and early seeder
• Sprouting
• Serotiny
• Heat-induced germination

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Fire and People
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Smokey the Bear Syndrome
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The Fires of Yellowstone
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The Need for Fire Suppression
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Fire Management Strategies

• Fuel breaks
• Thinning and pruning
• Controlled burns
• Suppression

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The Wildland-Urban Interface
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Understanding the Whole System