A review of prescribed burning effectiveness in fire hazard reduction

Abstract

Wildfire hazard abatement is one of the major reasons to use prescribed burning. Computer simulation, case studies, and analysis of the fire regime in the presence of active prescribed burning programs in forest and shrubland generally indicate that this fuel management tool facilitates fire suppression efforts by reducing the intensity, size and damage of wildfires. However, the conclusions that can be drawn from the above approaches are limited, highlighting the need for more properly designed experiments addressing this question. Fuel accumulation rate frequently limits prescribed fire effectiveness to a short post-treatment period (2–4 years). Optimisation of the spatial pattern of fire application is critical but has been poorly addressed by research, and practical management guidelines are lacking to initiate this. Furthermore, adequate treatment efforts in terms of fire protection are constrained by operational, social and ecological issues. The best results of prescribed fire application are likely to be attained in heterogeneous landscapes and in climates where the likelihood of extreme weather conditions is low. Conclusive statements concerning the hazard-reduction potential of prescribed fire are not easily generalised, and will ultimately depend on the overall efficiency of the entire fire management process.

Fire behaviour and severity in a maritime pine stand under differing fuel conditions

“…[36]. This assumption is soundly supported by theory, common sense and informal observation, which might explain the surprising paucity of studies examining the subject in a scientific context with field data, by looking at fire behaviour and severity differences between adjacent treated and untreated forest stands [31,45].…”

Modelos Matemáticos Empíricos Para Descrever O Comportamento Do Fogo Em Plantações Comerciais De Eucalipto No Brasil

“…A wide range of objectives can be accomplished by applying prescribed burns in eucalypt plantations, including reducing wildfire risk/hazard; site preparation for tree regeneration; silvicultural improvements; range and wildlife habitat management; control of weeds, insects and diseases; and biodiversity maintenance (WADE;LUNSFORD 1989;BOTELHO, 2003).…”

Can precipitation influence landscape controls on wildfire severity? A case study within temperate eucalypt forests of south-eastern Australia

“…Fuel reduction burning is utilised across large areas of temperate forest ecosystems to manage wildfire risk (Fernandes and Botelho 2003;Penman et al 2011). This management technique aims to reduce fuel loads and consequently the intensity, and hence severity, of subsequent wildfires, in order to increase the likelihood of suppression by fire crews (Fernandes and Botelho 2003).…”

“…This management technique aims to reduce fuel loads and consequently the intensity, and hence severity, of subsequent wildfires, in order to increase the likelihood of suppression by fire crews (Fernandes and Botelho 2003). The frequency at which fuel reduction burns are applied within a landscape is generally predicated on relationships between fuel accumulation, time since fire and fire intensity (Gill et al 1987;Morrison et al 1996;Penman et al 2011).…”