The field of prescribed fire: A resource hub

The field of prescribed fire: A resource hub

The prescribed fire field is vast and varied.

To support you in your knowledge of the diverse topics that are relevant for prescribed fire practitioners, Audubon Canyon Ranch’s prescribed fire leaders and ecologists have compiled excerpts from the growing body of scientific research, traditional ecological knowledge, and papers from subject-area experts. We will add to this resource page regularly. Enjoy, and check back often!

Searchable Resources

You can browse the resources below by topic of resource.

Resource
Ecology and Fire
Thinning with follow-up burning treatments have increased effectiveness at reducing severity in California’s largest wildfire

A study in the 2021 Dixie Fire area found forest treatments to reduce both tree densities and surface fuels are critical for reducing fire severity and forest loss.

Resource
Ecology and Fire
Prescribed fires effects on actual and modeled fuel loads and forest structure in southern coast redwood forests

Fire suppression, timber harvesting, and the forced removal of Indigenous burning have fundamentally changed conditions in coast redwood forests. This recent study reveals contemporary prescribed fire effects in Sonoma and Santa Cruz counties in coast redwood forests.

Resource
Policy & Liability
Realignment of federal environmental policies to recognize fire's role

A comprehensive review of where the existing policy framework misaligns with the unique role of fire in ecosystems and with Tribal sovereignty, current barriers, and proposed reforms to incentivize the use of beneficial fire.

Resource
Indigenous Science
Good Fire II

Current barriers to the expansion of cultural burning and prescribed fire in the United States and recommended solutions from the Karuk Tribe.

Resource
Ecology and Fire
Trends in prescribed fire weather windows from 2000 to 2022 in California

Weather windows in Sonoma County show an increasing trend in opportunities for prescribed fire use.

Resource
Ecology and Fire
Growing impact of wildfire on western US water supply

How will increasing wildfire activity affect water resources in the water-limited western United States? This study shows streamflow increased 30% after 20% of a forested area in a watershed burned.

Searchable Resources

You can browse the resources below by topic of resource.

Resource
Ecology and Fire
Thinning with follow-up burning treatments have increased effectiveness at reducing severity in California’s largest wildfire

A study in the 2021 Dixie Fire area found forest treatments to reduce both tree densities and surface fuels are critical for reducing fire severity and forest loss.

Resource
Ecology and Fire
Prescribed fires effects on actual and modeled fuel loads and forest structure in southern coast redwood forests

Fire suppression, timber harvesting, and the forced removal of Indigenous burning have fundamentally changed conditions in coast redwood forests. This recent study reveals contemporary prescribed fire effects in Sonoma and Santa Cruz counties in coast redwood forests.

Resource
Policy & Liability
Realignment of federal environmental policies to recognize fire's role

A comprehensive review of where the existing policy framework misaligns with the unique role of fire in ecosystems and with Tribal sovereignty, current barriers, and proposed reforms to incentivize the use of beneficial fire.

Resource
Indigenous Science
Good Fire II

Current barriers to the expansion of cultural burning and prescribed fire in the United States and recommended solutions from the Karuk Tribe.

Resource
Ecology and Fire
Trends in prescribed fire weather windows from 2000 to 2022 in California

Weather windows in Sonoma County show an increasing trend in opportunities for prescribed fire use.

Resource
Ecology and Fire
Growing impact of wildfire on western US water supply

How will increasing wildfire activity affect water resources in the water-limited western United States? This study shows streamflow increased 30% after 20% of a forested area in a watershed burned.