Rapid Forest Assessment in the Auggie Fuel Treatment Area

Junior Journal

Series: Junior Journal | Story 4

The Rapid Forest Assessment (RFA) in the Auggie fuel treatment area near the Morrell Creek Ski Trails in Seeley Lake, Mont. will assist everyone in knowing what is in our forests. A control plot is an area of land in the forest that has not been logged. A treatment plot is an area that has been logged. The Auggie fuel treatment is an area logged one year ago in order to improve forest health and reduce the fuels for a fire.

To determine if the Auggie fuel treatment worked in the treated areas we need to compare it to control areas. The trees in both plots were predominantly Douglas fir trees. Douglas firs are shade intolerant trees which means the trees are more likely to have space between them which lowers the risk of a crown fire. Douglas fir trees are also fire resistant so they will not burn as easily. Both areas have an average of about 23 seedlings, that means there is new plant growth.

The control and treatment areas have many differences. The soil disturbance in the areas has an effect on the number of weeds there are. The treatment plot had a roadbed running through it and as a result Canada Thistle and Hawkweed were present.

In the treatment plot there were no dead trees which wouldn't fuel a fire. The control plot had six dead trees that could result in fuels for a forest fire.

Fuel load measures the amount of one hour, ten hour and 100 hour fuels that are in the area. The control plot had more fuel load putting it at risk for a ground fire.

Horizontal cover in the treatment plot is very low with an average cover of about 1.875 percent. The horizontal cover in the control plot averaged 50.6875 percent making it a great habitat for Lynx who need 30-70 percent of horizontal cover.

The RFA helped me conclude that treatment areas would be better for the residents of Seeley Lake. When there is a fire in the treatment areas it will not spread as fast, giving firefighters a chance to contain it before it burns structures. Although, the control area would be better for the wildlife. The amount of horizontal cover makes it a prime spot for lynx, hares and other wildlife. It is crucial to have the right balance of both areas so the forest doesn't burn and the wildlife thrives.

 

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