Creating a Vision... ways to analyze the project area:

Protecting the Metolius Basin from Wildfire...

The idea of "Defensible Space" is usually applied to a space around homes, but we are looking at creating a more fire resistant forest. This will make the Metolius Basin more resilient to wildfires and provide defensible space around the community.

What does a Defensible Landscape look like and what are the tradeoffs and short term Impacts?

View these comparative computer generated simulation movies (.avi files) that show the possible wildfire resistance created by thinning dense forests:

Wildfire effects-No Treatment

Wildfire effects-WITH Treatment

Vegetation treatments improve forest wildfire resilience

Cache Mountain Fire, Black Butte Ranch 2002

Thinning combined with surface fuels treatment can enable trees to survive wildfire. The wildfire moved from a crownfire down to a groundfire in the thinned area (above) enabling firefighters to more effectively fight it. (See treatments)

Spring River Butte Fire, Deschutes NF, Fall 1999

This area in Central Oregon was consumed in a wildfire, yet, see the difference in the total damage in the untreated areas where the fires burned hotter and the thinned areas, where the fire intensity was less damaging. (See treatments)