Hastening the return of complex forests following fire: The consequences of delay

Abstract

Over 54 days in 2002, the Biscuit Fire, the largest fire in recorded Oregon history, burned more than 400,000 acres. Much of the burned land was being managed under the federal Northwest Forest Plan to provide habitat for species that live in complex, older conifer-dominated forests as well as for recreation purposes. Only a narrow window of opportunity exists to hasten conifer restoration to complex forest conditions in a cost-effective manner, to reduce risks of insect epidemics and future fires, and to capture some economic value that could offset restoration costs. Delays in decisionmaking and implementation will likely destine much of the most intensely burned area to cycles of shrubs, hardwoods, and recurring fires for many decades. This is the opposite of what current management plans call for-maintenance of mature forests.