Basal area lost reflects the amount of tree mortality from the Rice Ridge Fire. In many areas, crown fire moved quickly through an area, causing the trees to burn but leaving the soil relatively intact, including the root mass and forest duff materials. Because of this, regardless of tree mortality, the forest floor will start to green up in the next few years in areas with low and moderate soil burn severity.
by Andi Bourne
Pathfinder
SEELEY LAKE – The Rice Ridge 20-person Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team finished their assessment of the Rice Ridge Fire Oct. 20. In 11 days they were able to create a plan to mitigate threats to the public, forest infrastructure and native plants and animals. Implementation has already begun in critical areas of the fire and will continue through next October.
The BAER team addresses the effects of the fires including the potential for flooding and erosion, failure of culverts and roads, weed spread and risks to adjacent lands. The team includes soil scient...
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