Miller Creek, a 5,518-acre (2,234 hectare) forested watershed, located in northwest Montana's Flathead National Forest was designated a Demonstration Forest in 1989 to protect existing study areas and promote future research. A multidisciplinary team of scientists began research there in 1967 to determine criteria by which prescribed broadcast fires in logging slash could be scheduled to best meet site preparation, hazard reduction, and other management goals.

The effects of burning treatments on air quality, soil physical and chemical parameters, runoff and erosion, small mammal populations, and vegetative recovery and development, were measured and analyzed. Only regeneration and plant succession studies continue after 35 years. Differences in tree regeneration and vegetation development are explained for units that were clearcut and prescribed burned, clearcut and burned by wildfire, clearcut and unburned, and uncut and burned by wildfire. The effectiveness of fire to remove the duff layer was measured and related to preburn conditions, fuel loads, and fire intensity. These diverse plant communities and stand structures have created habitat for many species from rare plants such as the moonwort to large mammals such as moose. The long-term consequences of natural disturbances enhance biological diversity. A field guide is available that discusses vegetation response related to wildfire and a wide range of prescribed fires.

See publications section.

• Daily Interlake Article: "Researchers have watched regeneration after fire"

Click on each thumbnail photograph for an enlarged version.

Map of Miller Creek Demonstration Forest.

Unit West-7 was clearcut, slashed, and ready to be prescribed burned. However, in late afternoon on August 23, 1967, embers from the wildfire ignited the dry slash and the unit was burned prematurely. Photo taken from a fire patrol aircraft.

Unit South-9 was clearcut, slashed and prescribed burned. Fire prepared excellent conditions for regeneration of conifers. Photo taken October 5, 1967.

Over 100 participants at a field workshop gather at "Council Rock" among abundant coniferous regeneration on unit East-3. It was clearcut, slashed, and prescribed burned August 7, 1968. Photo July 1987.

Scientists who did research at Miller Creek Demonstration Forest gather on Council Rock on unit East-3 that was clearcut, slashed and prescribed burned August 7, 1968. Photo July 1987.

Participants of the International Larix Symposium visit the South-1 that was clearcut, slashed and on May 18, 1968 prescribed burned. Photo October 1992.

Unit South-8 (foreground) was clearcut, slashed and on August 8, 1967 was prescribed burned. It was reburned by the wildfire on August 23, 1967. Natural regeneration is scattered. Across the Miller Creek drainage are north-facing units that were included in this study. Photo taken October 1992.

Influence of fire on western larch (yellow foliage) regeneration. Foreground, clearcut East-2, slashed, no fire; center, clearcut East-1, slashed, prescribed burned October 10, 1967. Photo October 1995.

Checking measurements of trees planted on East-7 that was clearcut, slashed then on July 18, 1967 prescribed burned. Photo July 1996.

Students receive instruction within unit South-13, an uncut unit burned by wildfire August 23, 1967. Each year the advanced biology class at Whitefish High School spend two days at Miller creek collecting data to use in practical classroom exercises during the remainder of the semester. Photo taken September 1996.

Primary and secondary teachers from the Flathead Valley receive hands on instruction of how to take field measurements and use research results in their science curricula. Photo taken August 1998.

The "Moose Pond" lies below unit West-1 that was clearcut, slashed and on July 27 1967 prescribed burned. Photo July 1999.

A thrifty young Engelmann spruce seedling grows within the burned-out stump of a western larch on unit North-13 that was clearcut, slashed and on July 8, 1968 prescribed burned. Photo June 1999.