Forest Fires and Wildlife

Although fire is a natural ecosystem process, a policy of suppression has been pursued in most North American forests over the last century, leading to alterations in forest function and structure. WCS is collaborating with forest managers across the nation to restore ecological integrity and conserve wildlife habitat as well as reduce fire risk. In the western U.S., perhaps the most dramatic changes have occurred in the dry interior forests dominated by ponderosa pine. Historically, these forests experienced frequent, low intensity fires that maintained open stands characterized by a sparse understory and large trees.

The Human Aspect
The importance of reducing wildfire risk while balancing ecological integrity and wildlife habitat conservation has become controversial as of late.  Forest managers face the challenging task of balancing timber production, fire risk, and restoration or maintenance of wildlife populations.

Threats
Today’s intensively managed, fire suppressed forests are characterized by high densities of understory trees such as white fir and low densities of larger trees.  The resulting high-intensity wildfires often burn thousands of acres, destroying critical wildlife habitat and endangering human life and property.

WCS Activities
Evaluating the role of fire in forest ecosystems is the key to conserving fire-dependent wildlife species. Therefore, WCS is participating in the first nationwide, multidisciplinary study intended to assist land managers in understanding the ecological, societal, and economic tradeoffs of implementing the four most commonly applied management alternatives: 1) control — continued fire suppression with no harvesting; 2) burn — prescribed fire; 3) thin — small tree logging; and 4) thin and burn — small tree logging followed by prescribed fire.  WCS is collaborating on research at 13 sites nationwide. This work complements our ongoing efforts to re-create historic forest structure and improve wildlife habitat using experimental fire and thinning treatments in northern California.

Important Next Steps
• Evaluate the effects of forest management treatments with and without fire on
   wildlife populations.
• Integrate this information with other disciplines (e.g., plant science, insect
   science, fire ecology) and synthesize overall results.
• Evaluate the importance of large trees and snags to forest wildlife species
   through comparisons at sites across the country.
• Work with stakeholders (e.g., U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service) to reach
   consensus about best management practices for forests and forest wildlife.
• Act as information brokers on forests, forest fires, and forest wildlife issues for
   land managers and the public.

Forests, Fire and Wildlife Related Publications