Posts Tagged: Fire
UCCE report: Local forest restoration teams effective at rapid response
Quickly planting trees after wildfires crucial for communities, ecosystems, carbon goals
As the climate crisis fuels more high-severity wildfires, many forests – adapted to bounce back from frequent but less-intense fires – are struggling to recover quickly.
“In a lot of locations, forests in the Sierra Nevada that burn at high severity are not regenerating on their own,” said Susie Kocher, University of California Cooperative Extension forestry and natural resources advisor for the Central Sierra. “They need to have living trees to drop seeds; if everything dies in an intense fire, then there's a high likelihood in those locations that trees might not return for a while.”
According to Kocher, a forest may take multiple decades to grow back on its own, seeding in very slowly from the edges of a burn. To speed up that regeneration process, a pilot program of local “Emergency Forest Restoration Teams,” or EFRTs, have been helping forest landowners rapidly remove dead trees, plant new seedlings and expedite other vital tasks after wildfires.
Kocher is a co-author of a recently released report evaluating the EFRTs, which appear to be effective in assisting often-overwhelmed private landowners navigate competitive funding programs and complicated permitting pathways after wildfire. Small private landowners in California own 7 million acres, comprising 22% of forested land across the state.
“None of our current assistance programs were really designed to rapidly respond to high-severity fire disasters,” Kocher said. “And we're just getting so much more high-severity fire now that there needed to be a different way of helping people, besides business as usual.”
Lead agencies improve coordination of restoration efforts
Drawing from a successful model in Washington, Kocher and other members of the Governor's Forest Management Task Force recommended the formation of EFRTs in 2019 and this recommendation made it into the California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan of 2021.
Following the Caldor, Dixie and Tamarack fires during that year, disaster relief funds from CAL FIRE and the U.S. Forest Service enabled the establishment of pilot EFRTs in each of the affected regions. A key innovation was designating a local lead agency to coordinate restoration efforts: the El Dorado Resource Conservation District (Caldor), the Feather River Resource Conservation District (Dixie) and Alpine County (Tamarack).
“The idea is that one well-established local agency gets the funds to carry out all the reforestation work,” Kocher said. “They find contractors for the landowners and plan and carry out all the work needed, including dead tree removal, site preparation and replanting; this helps it be more coordinated across the landscape and reduces competition for contractors.”
“Also, for most of that work, there's no cost to the landowner – which is a huge benefit to them, because these things can get really expensive, like many thousands of dollars an acre,” Kocher added.
Although there was an initial steep learning curve for the local lead agencies on the complexities of reforestation and the maze of required permits, they quickly executed a significant number of forest restoration treatments. Within two years, the three pilot teams had collectively completed over 2,500 acres of dead tree removal and 1,400 acres of conifer planting.
“The overwhelming benefit of the pilots was that a lot of work got done on the ground, that otherwise would not have been done – at least not in the timeframe that was made possible by the EFRTs,” said Daylin Wade, a UCCE staff research associate and co-author of the recent report, who synthesized feedback from interviews of professionals involved in the program.
Rapid reforestation better financially, ecologically
Both Wade and Kocher underscored how the EFRTs were crucial in completing restoration tasks in a timely manner. Removal of dead wood becomes trickier and more expensive over time, as the trees decay and are dangerous to cut down.
“A major accomplishment was getting trees out of there while it was both safe and economically viable to remove those trees – and getting trees in the ground before shrubs dominate the site,” Wade explained.
It's also imperative to quickly remove the dead trees to reduce the fuel load and minimize the chances of re-burn in the area.
“If you're not doing this work, then you're actually endangering the investment that you're putting into rebuilding communities that burned, because they're in danger of burning again if you have huge piles of dead trees everywhere,” Kocher said.
Furthermore, expediting those tasks helps restore the forest cover that is crucial for sequestering carbon and achieving the goals of California's sweeping climate action plan – such as attaining carbon neutrality by 2045.
“We have very ambitious carbon goals for our forests in California, and so reestablishing them – even on private lands – is a public benefit,” Kocher said.
Evaluation of EFRTs by UC Cooperative Extension continues
In addition to enumerating the progress of the three EFRT case studies, the evaluation report also lists recommendations to further enhance the program, such as securing rapid and flexible funding for future EFRTs, improving guidance for local lead agencies and streamlining permitting processes.
The authors also stressed the need to expand opportunities for the commercial sale of woody material in the aftermath of a wildfire event. Selling logs and wood chips reduces the volume of material that would need to processed onsite by the EFRTs and their contractors, thereby defraying some of the costs for that work.
But there simply hasn't been a sufficient market for that woody biomass.
“It's a big barrier,” Kocher said. “If we had a healthier timber market, it would be easier to make this stuff pay its own way and be less of a subsidized endeavor.”
UC Cooperative Extension's EFRT evaluation work – made possible by funding from the U.S. Forest Service State, Private and Tribal Forestry, Region 5 – will continue for the next couple years. On the heels of this first report, Wade will next gather and summarize feedback from private landowners on whether the EFRTs are meeting their goals.
And, later this summer and fall, researchers will begin assessing the ecological success of the plantings in the restoration areas, surveying seedling survival and gauging the volume of competing vegetation.
“It's hugely encouraging that we've gotten all these trees in the ground, but it's not the end of the process – it's just the beginning,” Kocher said. “Trees and forests need to be maintained over time, so this next step will let us see how successful that has been, and if there are additional steps needed to actually ensure that these trees succeed and thrive.”
The full report, dedicated to the memory of report co-author and UCCE advisor Ryan Tompkins, can be found at https://ucanr.edu/efrt.
/h3>/h3>/h3>/h3>Wildfire preparedness strategies for farms covered in UC ANR webinars
UCCE advisors will present webinars on May 21 and 28
Late spring rains have delayed California's fire season this year, which provides farmers and ranchers an opportunity to improve their wildfire preparedness. Barns, wood fencing, hay and other property commonly found on farms have inherent vulnerabilities to wildfire.
Fortunately, buildings and infrastructure can be hardened and maintained to reduce their vulnerability to fire and fire-related damage to agricultural resources. Having a plan in place to keep livestock safe and healthy is essential to maintaining animal health and resume operations as quickly as possible post-wildfire. Join the UC Agriculture and Natural Resources Fire Network team to learn about wildfire preparedness strategies for farms and ranches.
The two-part webinar series will cover hardening structures and managing livestock during wildfire.
Part 1: Ranch Hardening and Wildfire Preparedness Strategies for Agricultural Structures
- May 21 at 6-7 p.m.
- Join UC Cooperative Extension fire advisor Luca Carmignani and UCCE forest advisor Yana Valachovic to discuss best practices for incorporating principles of structure hardening and defensible space into agricultural structures and operations.
- Register by May 20 at https://bit.ly/3y1MbuP. Link to webinar will be emailed to registrants.
Part 2: The Realities of Managing Livestock Health During Wildfire
- May 28 at 6-7:30 p.m.
- Join UCCE livestock and natural resource advisors and our partners for a set of presentations about managing livestock health during wildfire events and what to do if you find yourself trapped by an approaching wildfire.
- Register by May 20 at https://bit.ly/3y1MbuP. Link to webinar will be emailed to registrants.
Home Landscaping for Fire Safety
Living with the threat of wildfire is an unfortunate fact of life for Californians. While we cannot control wildfire, we can help minimize its destruction by practicing fire safe strategies which harden the landscape by reducing the vulnerability of your home and property to wildfire.
In recent years, we have seen many fires that have affected homes that are not even close to an open space. A single spark which is called a firebrand or flying ember can travel miles in the wind making us all vulnerable.
Hardening the landscape
Creating a beautiful and functional landscape as well as a fire adapted property can be accomplished using the concept of Defensible Zones. Your property can be viewed as 3 defensible zones and when done properly, it makes your home and property less prone to fire. In these zones, we look for places to prevent ignition, slow fire down, and improve firefighter access.
The Zones are:
Zone 0: Ignition Zone
0-5 feet from home.
Zone 1: Firebreak Zone
5-30 feet from home.
Zone 2: Reduced Fuel Zone
30-100 feet from home or to your property line.
Zone 0: Ignition Zone: 0–5 feet
This zone is the most important one. The first 5 feet from your home are critical to the safety of your home and family. Those 5 feet should be clear of anything that will burn. This includes plants, shrubs, overhanging trees, and mulch. Remove all flammable hazards that are within this critical zone including stacks of wood, propane tanks, wooden chairs, benches, dead vegetation, leaves or cobwebs under the eaves or in rain gutters, and wooden fences. It is important to eliminate any material that could be ignited by a flying ember. Also make sure to remove tree branches that overhang the roof.
Zone 1: Firebreak Zone: 5–30 feet
In this zone, the primary goal is to stop a fire from spreading. We want to use space (separation) to create areas that “break” or slow the path of any fire. Hedges and wooden fences are of special concern, as they can channel flames toward the house. Strategically created space between shrubs, trees, plants, and anything else that might burn will create a fuel break that will make it harder for flames to spread on the ground from plant to plant and to your home. Prune and thin, remove plants and separate layers of vegetation, for example by removing lower tree branches, so that a fire cannot “ladder”, or climb up shrubs to trees to your home/roof. Incorporate fire-safe hardscape materials throughout this area like stone, gravel, cement, metal fences, water features and pathways.
Zone 2: Reduced Fuel Zone 30–100 feet
We want to REDUCE THE FUEL in this zone all the way around your home. Fuel is anything that will burn including dead vegetation, downed branches, overgrown areas, low hanging trees, flammable plants and wooden fencing. Keeping this area clear of dead material and adding hardscape will eliminate fuel and help stop fire from spreading across your property. It will also help improve firefighter access to your property.
For more information on defensible space:
https://ucanr.edu/sites/fire/Preparedness/Landscaping/DefensibleSpace/
How to Start: Develop a Strategy for each zone
• Identify problem areas
• Minimize slope risk
• Target plants for removal
• Add plants that are fire resistant
• Plant in an island format
• Make liberal use of hardscaping (rocks, cement, gravel, rock walls, boulders, etc.)
• Include irrigation to keep plants and trees from becoming unsafe
Slope:
In a hilly area, fire will travel faster and flames will shoot higher, therefore it is important to add 10 feet of additional space between trees for every 10% increase in slope. This additional space can help keep the fire from laddering from tree to tree up the hill.
Use Fire Resistant Plants:
The most important thing is to plant the right plant in the right place. This maxim is true for growing conditions and also for fire safety. Remember that all plants can burn so placement is the most important factor. Fire resistant plants share the following characteristics:
Leaves: High moisture content, fleshy and large or coarse like you see in succulents and cactus.
Trees: Deciduous: their thin moist leaves shrivel up when there is fire or extreme heat so don't help ladder into the canopy. Also look for trees and shrubs that have an open and airy structure, allowing for more air circulation and are less likely to harbor dead organic material at the center. Drought tolerant or native to California are the best options.
Remove Flammable Plants and Weeds
Here are good clues for identifying Fire PRONE plants:
Leaves: low moisture content/dry, small, fine or needle like cypress and juniper
Oils: Aromatic, resinous like rosemary and eucalyptus. Decorative hedges and large plants, such as bamboo and conifers including cedars and firs.
Trees: plants that produce a lot of debris increase fire danger. Eucalyptus trees have bark that is loose or papery which creates a lot of debris making these trees very dangerous.
Weeds: All weeds that are higher than 3” are highly flammable and need to be removed.
For more information on fire safe planting: https://ucanr.edu/sites/fire/Preparedness/Landscaping/Plant_choice/
Mulch:
Mulch plays an important role in your landscapes. Besides looking great it provides many benefits:
• water retention,
• soil temperature control
• weed inhibition
• helps prevent soil erosion
BUT…mulch can be highly combustible material in your landscape. The bigger and heavier the pieces the better. But remember it all burns. It is important NOT to have any flammable mulch within 5 feet of your house and other structures.
See more mulch information about mulch and flammability at this link:
https://ucanr.edu/sites/fire/Preparedness/Landscaping/Mulch/
Maintenance: The final element in a fire safe landscape
Be diligent in your maintenance habits in order to keep your property firesafe as follows:
Ongoing:
• Remove weeds, dead plants, leaves and branches.
• Remove vines from trees and fences.
• Compost or remove all debris.
Annually:
• Thin vegetation and cut weeds to 3.”
• Cut back woody plants.
• Ensure sufficient space between shrubs, house and trees.
Every few years:
• Cut back vines, groundcovers.
• Prune tree branches to 10' above ground and above roof.
See more information on maintenance here: https://ucanr.edu/sites/fire/Preparedness/Landscaping/Trees/
Community resources: Firewise: National Fire Protection Association
Firewise is a nationally recognized program for bringing homeowners together to improve the safety of the neighborhood. They offer guidelines, training, and certification.
More information on Firewise here:
https://www.nfpa.org/Education-and-Research/Wildfire/Firewise-USA
In addition to landscaping for fire safety, it is critical that you think about how you can make your home and other structures on your property less susceptible to fire. This is a good chart/source for things to think about:
https://ucanr.edu/sites/hdnmastergardeners/files/357133.pdf
Help Desk of the UC Master Gardeners of Contra Costa County (PDS)
It’s Fire Blight Season!
If you are noticing droopy, dried-out flower clusters on your pears, Asian pears, quince, apples or...