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US Forest Service Research & Development
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  • US Forest Service Research & Development
  • 1400 Independence Ave., SW
  • Washington, D.C. 20250-0003
  • 800-832-1355
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Roger Ottmar

Roger D. Ottmar

Research Forester
400 N 34th St., Suite 201
Seattle
Washington
United States
98103-8600

Phone: 206-732-7826
Fax: 206-732-7801
Contact Roger D. Ottmar


Current Research

I lead efforts to develop (1) a natural fuels photo series for the United States, Mexico, and Brazil; (2) the Consume model, which predicts fuel consumption and emission production by combustion phase for forested and non-forested fuel types across North America; and (3) the Fuel Characteristic Classification System, which characterizes fuelbeds for the United States and the world. I consult on the assessment of wildland firefighter exposure to smoke and the associated health risks and also lead the Prescribed Fire Combustion and Atmospheric Research Experiment (RxCADRE), a group of individual researchers and research teams from across the United States which is instrumenting and collecting data that will complement each area of research in the pre-, active, and postfire burning periods of prescribed burns.

Research Interests

Fuelbed characteristics, fuel moisture, fuel consumption, smoke management, firefighter exposure to smoke, and technology transfer of science.

Past Research

I have been involved with fuels, fire, and smoke-related research for over 35. In my early career, I lead efforts to modifiy and improve the the natural fuels photo series and develop models for predicting fuel consumption and emissions for smoke management planning. Later, I become interested in firefighters and their exposure to smoke both on the fireline and in camp and in developing a system to better characertize fuelbeds for fire planning.

Why This Research is Important

Whether it is prediction of fire behavior variables such as flamelength and rate of spread, fire effects such as smoke, air quality impacts, carbon release, tree mortality, or mineral soil exposure, a comprehensive characterization of fuelbeds and consumption of the fuelbed components by combustion stage are required. In addition, firefighter exposure to smoke and the resulting short-term and long-term effects are not well understood. Further research is needed if appropriate firefighter risk management strategies are to be developed.

Education

  • University of Idaho, Honorary Doctorate Natural Resources 2008
  • University of Washington, M.S. Atmospheric Science 1980
  • University of Washington, B.S. Atmospheric Science 1977
  • Eastern Washington State College, B.A. Secondary Education/Geology 1973

Professional Experience

  • Research Forester, Us Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station
    1980 - Current
    I started my career with the Forest Service in northern Idaho as a trail crew foreman in 1970. I received my BS at the University of Washington in Atmospheric Science in 1977 and was hired as a forestry technician for the Pacific Northwest Research Station in 1978. In 1980 I received my MS in Forest Management and was converted to a Research Forester. Since 1980, I have been leading research studies in fuels, fuel combustion, and smoke management and transfering the knowledge in those subjects for the PNW Research Station.

Professional Organizations

  • American Meteorological Society, Member (1980 - Current)
    None

Awards & Recognition

  • Honorary Degree of Doctor of Natural Resources, University of Idaho, 2008
    For providing critical knowledge on fire effects, smoke production and atmospheric pollution and transfering that knowledge.
  • Chief's Award--Technology Transfer, 2006
    In recognition for teaching smoke management courses, leading fire management workshops, and designing, developing, and distributing, supporting, and transferring applications.

Featured Publications & Products

Publications

Research Highlights

HighlightTitleYear

PNW-2013-013		Fire Combustion Experiment Produces Big Data Set to Validate a New Generation of Fire Models

Three operational scale fires (about 494-988 acres) and six fine scale (about 328-656 foot blocks) replicate units at Eglin Air Force Base, Flor ...

2013

PNW-2017-183		Forest Service research supports Washington State’s Forest Resiliency Burning Pilot Project

Forest Service researchers characterized fuel before and after prescribed burns in eastern Washington State and assessed post-fire tree mortalit ...

2017

PNW-2012-20		Testing Fuel Treatments in Boreal Forests

A first-of-its-kind study tests the effects of fuel treatment on fuel consumption and fire behavior in Alaska's boreal forest

2012

Last updated on : 05/14/2019