FOREST PROTECTION

Fire

Even without human influences, fire occurs naturally. Lightning is the most common natural ignition source of fires. The spread of fires through the forest is dependent upon the weather and amount of burnable material (fuel). All forests eventually have enough fuel and the right weather for a fire to spread, even rain forests. The natural fire cycle involves the reoccurrence of fires and build-up of fuels in between them. Fire cycles vary in different forests from 3 to 500 years. Fires can build soil by producing nutrient-rich ash from wood, or destroy soil by burning too hot and sterilizing the ground. They can kill disease-causing fungi, reduce insect and animal populations, or weaken trees allowing increases in populations of tree-eating organisms. Natural fires are important for certain seed germination and plant renewal.

Humans have used fire in the forest for thousands of years. Native Americans in this state used fire in tree felling, maintaining meadows and berry picking sites, and hunting. European settlers used fire for clearing land. Forest land managers have used controlled fire to prepare sites for reforestation, to reduce wildfire hazards, to control insects and disease, to remove invasive vegetation, and to enhance wildlife habitat. Fire can be a tool or a hazard depending on when and how it occurs.

Uncontrolled fire is called wildfire and can cause harm to the environment and result in a great deal of property loss. In this part of the state, 96% of all wildfires are human-caused. People who use the forest for recreation or have built homes in forested areas cause many of these fires by accident. Outdoor garbage burning (which is illegal) has started many large wildfires that destroyed trees and homes in this state.

The natural fire cycle is often disrupted when homes are built in the forest. Fires that would normally burn the area are put out in order to protect the new homes. This allows more fuel to build up and increases the intensity of future fires. Eventually a fire may start that cannot be stopped, destroying homes and the forest that was able to withstand smaller fires.

For land managers, foresters, and firefighters, maintaining the balance of fire in the forest is much more difficult when homes are present. Homeowners who live in forests need to be aware of the dangers of wildfire and be responsible in protecting their homes. By using fire-resistant building materials, and creating a small clearing around their homes, homeowners can create a defensible space that would allow fires to burn past their homes.