Degradation and restoration of Indigenous California black oak (Quercus kelloggii) stands in the northern Sierra Nevada

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Degradation and restoration of Indigenous California black oak (Quercus kelloggii) stands in the northern Sierra Nevada

This study summarizes Indigenous oral traditions, assesses current and historical forest structure, and measures fire effects of the 2021 Dixie Fire to understand the state of forests in the northern Sierra Nevada with cultural significance to the Mountain Maidu. Oral traditions of the Mountain Maidu cultural burning practices were passed down through generations and were incorporated into this work by one of the authors. The focal site of the study was the Plumas National Forest expanded on University of California, and data included Berkeley forest inventory plots, a California black oak census, and dendroecological fire history records. Regional forest conditions were assessed historically via a 1924 forest inventory, while current conditions were quantified through data from the Forest Inventory Analysis program.

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Fire and fuels management in coast redwood forests

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Fire and fuels management in coast redwood forests

This report compiles research on fuel conditions, fire history, and fire effects data from contemporary wildfires to provide context for the future management of old growth coast redwood stands and restoration of old growth attributes in second growth forests. The report also investigates fire hazards present in redwood forests and their fire management implications.

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Stand Structure in the Sierra de San Pedro Mártir: Research Synthesis

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Stand Structure in the Sierra de San Pedro Mártir: Research Synthesis

The SSPM can help guide management decisions in mixed conifer/ yellow pine forests of the western US/ California that wish to return forests to historical (pre-European) conditions or prepare them for a changing climate and an uncertain future.

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40 Years of Wildfires Alter a Sierra Nevada Watershed: Research Synthesis

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40 Years of Wildfires Alter a Sierra Nevada Watershed: Research Synthesis

This synthesis summarizes the findings from four different research articles which explore different aspects of how the fire history of the Illilouette Creek Basin in Yosemite National Park has affected its water resources.

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Lightning-ignitions and Santa Ana Wind-Driven Fires: Research Brief

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Lightning-ignitions and Santa Ana Wind-Driven Fires: Research Brief

This paper explores whether human or natural ignition (lightning) sources are linked to wildfire occurrence during Santa Ana wind events. While lightning ignitions during Santa Ana conditions have been rare in the past, predictions under anthropogenic climate change project drier fuels during the winter months when lightning and Santa Ana winds are more likely to occur simultaneously, increasing the future potential for devastating wildfires.

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The need to restore fire regimes in protected natural areas: Research Brief

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The need to restore fire regimes in protected natural areas: Research Brief

Many of California’s research natural areas exhibit high to moderate departure from their natural fire regime. Without restoration or maintenance of the natural fire regime, the ecological integrity of some natural areas could be lost.

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World Plants Converged on “Smoke” Cued Germination: Research Brief

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World Plants Converged on “Smoke” Cued Germination: Research Brief

Smoke cued germination occurs in an incredible diversity of plants in widely separated, fire-prone Mediterranean Climate Ecosystems around the world. This research suggests that convergent evolution might be the explanation. 

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Maximum Fire Elevation in the Sierra Nevada Has Increased Over the Past Century: Research Brief

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Maximum Fire Elevation in the Sierra Nevada Has Increased Over the Past Century: Research Brief

Using a geodatabase, researchers found that the maximum elevation extent of wildfires and the probability of wildfire occurrence above 3000 m have increased over the last century in the Sierra Nevada. This trend may accelerate vegetation shifts towards upper montane forest types in current subalpine systems. 

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Photo courtesy of Sasha Berleman 

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Two Historical Data Sets Tell Different Fire Stories: Research Brief

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Two Historical Data Sets Tell Different Fire Stories: Research Brief

A comparison of two historical fire history data sets, the State of California Fire and Resource Protection (FRAP) database and a database based on annual state and federal written reports, found substantial differences between the two.

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Pratt’s Arguments Against “Light Burning” in 1911: Research Brief

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Mr. Pratt in 1911 published an argument against the “light burning” practices of those days, claiming these small fires were unnecessary and only caused an expensive loss of merchantable lumber over the years. Like other light-burning advocates, he had no research on his side.  
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"Light Burning" Debate in the early 1900's: Research Brief Series

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In the early 20th century, there was an intense controversy over systematic “light burning, the practice of using cool fire as a management tool (similar to what we call prescribed fires today). These practices for fire control were highly debated before fire suppression policies overwhelmingly prevailed. Presented here is a series of research briefs that review publications from this controversy at this interesting look into history.

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Listening and Learning from Traditional Knowledge and Western Science: A Dialogue on Contemporary Challenges of Forest Health and Wildfire: Journal Article

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Journal of Forestry Abstract: "Native Americans relied on fire to maintain a cultural landscape that sustained their lifeways for thousands of years. Within the past 100 years, however, policies of fire exclusion have disrupted ecological processes, elevating risk of wildfire, insects, and disease, affecting the health and availability of resources on which the tribes depend..."
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