Harvesting forest biomass reduces wildfire fuel

Abstract

Years of drought, tree mortality due to insects and the successful suppression of forest fires over the past century have created dense stands of trees and shrubs in interior California. This buildup is potentially dangerous as a reservoir of fuel for uncontrollable wildfires. The advent of biomass power plants has made removal of excess plant material from the forest economically feasible, reducing wildfire hazard and preparing fire-adapted forests for reintroduction of prescribed fire. This paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of removing biomass (trees 2-8 inches diameter at breast height) in terms of the thinning effect and reduction of intertree competition, economic feasibility of the harvesting and hauling operation, soil nutrients, and the fire hazard of unharvested biomass.