Fire and Environmental Research Applications Team

Measuring the Effectiveness of Fuel Treatments in the Pacific Northwest Using the Fuel Characteristic Classification System (FCCS)

The objective of the project was to develop and map a representative set of fuelbeds for the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests using the Fuel Characteristic Classification System (FCCS). Fuelbeds, fuelbed characteristics, and fire potentials were then mapped to assess the fire hazard across the forest, and assess the need for treatment to reduce fire hazard.

An FCCS team was formed and included Jim Burdick, Tom Leuschen, Richy Harrod, John Barnes, Jim Bailey, Rick Lind, Roger Ottmar, Don McKenzie, Ernesto Alvarado, Crystal Raymond, and Lara Kellogg.

We completed the fuelbed list of about 200 fuelbeds so construction of the local fuelbed database is complete and data validated. We built a forest-wide high-resolution map of these fuelbeds, as well as maps of each ranger district, using vegetation classification, other quantitative GIS layers, and georeferenced plot data. This map layer will be used to estimate fire potential and fire hazard across the forests.

Descriptions of this work can be found in the following publications:

An Overview of the Fuel Characteristic Classification System – Quantifying, Classifying, and Creating Fuelbeds for Resource Planning
Ottmar, R.D.; Sandberg, D.V.; Riccardi, C.L.; Prichard, S.J. 2007.
Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 37(12): 2383-2393.

Mapping Fuels at Multiple Scales: Landscape Application of the Fuel Characteristic Classification System
McKenzie, D.; Raymond, C.L.; Kellogg, L.-K.B.; Norheim, R.A; Andreu, A.G.; Bayard, A.C.; Kopper, K.E.; Elman. E. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 37(12): 2421-2437.

Fuelbed Files and Outlines of Fuel Succession Pathways

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Supplementary Fuelbeds

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests fuelbeds were constructed using fuel development pathways to represent fuel conditions over time and under different management scenarios. [Updated April 3, 2009] (.zip 1.7 MB):

Outline of Fuel Succession Pathways Used to Develop Fuelbeds

Fuel succession pathways developed to identify FCCS fuelbeds necessary for fuels and fire planning purposes on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests. (.zip 148 kb)

Maps and GIS Layers

Eight fuelbed maps are available for viewing or download. The legend is provided in a separate file. Fuelbed files developed for this project may be downloaded here.

Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests Fuelbed Map [.jpg 42 MB]| GIS Layers [.zip file 24 MB]

Map Legend for Ranger District Maps [.pdf]

• Entiat and Chelan Ranger Districts Map [.pdf file]
• Methow Valley Ranger District [.pdf file]
• Naches Ranger District [.pdf file]
• Tonasket Ranger District Map [.pdf file]
• Twisp Ranger District Map [.pdf file]
• Wenatchee River Ranger District Map [.pdf file]
• Download ArcInfo files of the entire forest -- The zipfile contains an ArcInfo Grid dataset containing the FCCS fuelbeds for the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The dataset can be used in ArcInfo and other GIS software. [.zip 13.2 MB]

Fuelbed Development Team Lead: Roger Ottmar

Mapping Team Lead: Don McKenzie