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Biological research on fire in the West

Fact Sheet 2005-3005
By:
https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20053005

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Abstract

Wildland fires are a natural feature of many ecosystems, including grasslands, forests, and shrublands. How-ever, years of fire exclusion have led to accumulations of dead fuels and increases in the density of fire-intolerant species. In most western states, recent fires burning in these altered ecosystems have caused significant damage and huge economic losses to homes, busi-nesses, and communities. They also have dis-turbed forests and rangelands as well as their associated watersheds, plants, and animals. Every western state is concerned about dam-age from such catastrophic fires, and there is strong interest from all sectors in prevent-ing and reducing the resulting damage in the future. There is also interest in the use of fire as a management tool for reducing hazards and restoring damaged ecosystems and for returning fire to its natural role in wilderness ecosystems.

Suggested Citation

Water Resources Division, U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Biological research on fire in the West: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2005-3005, 2 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20053005.

ISSN: 2327-6932 (online)

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Biological research on fire in the West
Series title Fact Sheet
Series number 2005-3005
DOI 10.3133/fs20053005
Year Published 2005
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
Description 2 p.
First page 1
Last page 2
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional publication details