Fire and Environmental Research Applications Team

Critique of Sikkink and Keane's Comparison of Surface Fuel Sampling Techniques

In 2008, Sikkink and Keane wrote a paper in the International Journal of Wildland fire that compared five methods to estimate surface fuel loading: planar intersect, fixed-area plot, photoload, photoload macroplot and photo series. FERA's Clint Wright, Roger Ottmar, and Bob Vihnanek respond that study design limitations and incorrect use may have led the authors to infer that the photo series method was the least accurate.

FERA Contributes to Discussion of BLM Collaborative Forestry Pilot Project

Morris Johnson was invited by the BLM's Krisann Kosel to spend Saturday, April 10, at a dry forest stand in Oregon's Roseburg district contributing his knowledge of how forest thinning affects fire hazard. During a field trip to possible thinning sites, discussion took place among stakeholders participating in the Roseburg District Collaborative Forestry Pilot project. The entire day was facilitated, and included documentation of discussions on video.

This pilot project is designed to accelerate the development of habitat components for listed species, reduce the likelihood of uncharacteristically intense wildfires and provide a reliable and economically viable timber commodity to local communities.

Software Engineer Kjell Swedin Joins the FERA Team

FERA is excited to announce that Kjell Swedin, a computer engineer at the University of Washington, has joined the team. He is working with contractors, Sonoma Tech, on development of the Fire and Fuels Application – a combination of FCCS, Consume, and FEPS. His work is being supported by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Workshop Offered at 3rd Fire Behavior and Fuels Workshop

"Suite of Fire and Fuels Management Tools," a 1/2 day training, will be offered as part of training offered in the Pacific Wildland Fire Sciences Lab (PWFSL) Joint Workshop on Monday, October 25, 2010 in Spokane Washington at the 3rd Fire Behavior and Fuels Conference. Information on development and use of FCCS, Consume, and the Natural Fuels Photo Series will be presented. Registration is required.

Local Forest Briefed on Pacific Wildland Fire Sciences Lab Projects

The FERA scientific team met with the Forest Leadership Team of Washington’s Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest at the Pacific Wildland Fire Sciences Lab on May 19. FERA staff briefed national forest staff on current research and discussed potential projects related to fire and fuels management and climate change adaptation.

Peterson Presents at Tribal Forestry Conference

FERA’s David L. Peterson gave a presentation on the effects of climate change on Western forests at the Climate Change and Tribal Forestry Conference hosted by Northwest Indian College in Bellingham, Washington.  This conference included participation by several tribes, forest managers, and regional scientific experts.  The Intertribal Timber Council and other tribal representatives will be examining how tribal knowledge and Western science can be merged to facilitate adaptation to a warmer climate.