Title:

Flammability thresholds of Eastern redcedar as a potential indicator for heightened wildfire danger

Author(s):

Bielski, Christine H.; Twidwell, Dirac L.; Elmore, R. Dwayne; Engle, David M.; Fuhlendorf, Samuel D.; Hovick, Torre J.; Thacker, Eric T.

Publication Year:

2018

How to Cite:

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Bielski, Christine H.; Twidwell, Dirac L.; Elmore, R. Dwayne; Engle, David M.; Fuhlendorf, Samuel D.; Hovick, Torre J.; Thacker, Eric T. 2018. Flammability thresholds of Eastern redcedar as a potential indicator for heightened wildfire danger. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2018-0012

Abstract:

Flammability thresholds for Eastern redcedar (J. virginiana), an invasive native tree commonly planted throughout the Great Plains, were determined for an August 2016 study conducted in the Twin Lakes Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Seward, County, Nebraska. This data publication includes flammability measurements for 100 Eastern redcedar twigs across a foliar moisture content gradient ranging from 0% to 180%. To limit the amount of variation in foliar fuel moisture content (FMC) among foliage samples, all samples (6 centimeters in length) were harvested from the lower third of the crown of a single adult female tree and from the tips of branches only. Using a MC320LHT thermal imaging camera, three common characteristics of flammability were measured: ignitability (time until ignition), sustainability (time-spent combusting), and combustibility (intensity of combustion). Data indicate that flammability thresholds exist for Eastern redcedar and are expressed primarily through measurements of ignitability (time until ignition). At fuel moisture content’s of approximately 80%, time to ignition rapidly decreases. Based on these findings, the flammability of Eastern redcedar and its associated wildfire risk is much higher during periods of drought and should be considered as part of wildfire danger monitoring protocols in the Great Plains region.

Keywords:

biota; environment; Environment and People; Quality of life; Urban natural resources management; Fire; Fire ecology; Fire effects on environment; Fire suppression, pre-suppression; Prescribed fire; Wildland/urban interface; Forest & Plant Health; Invasive species; Rangeland plants; Natural Resource Management & Use; Agroforestry; Ecosystem services; Forest management; Landscape management; Range management & grazing; Restoration; Timber; Wildlife (or Fauna); Habitat management; flammability; thresholds; fuel moisture content; Eastern redcedar; juniper; wildfire risk; grassland; thermal imaging camera; juniper woodland; cedar woodland; Joint Fire Science Program; JFSP; Twin Lakes Wildlife Management Area; wildlife management area; Nebraska; grassland; Great Plains; USA

Related publications:

• Bielski, Christine H. 2016. Complex vegetation dynamics at the fire-grazing-drought nexus. Theses, Dissertations, and Student Research in Agronomy and Horticulture. 115. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska - Lincoln. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/agronhortdiss/115/
• Elmore, R. Dwayne; Bielski, Christine H.; Fuhlendorf, Samuel D.; Hovick, Torre J.; Starns, Heath D.; Thacker, Eric T.; Twidwell, Dirac L. 201707. Managing fuels while enhancing prairie-chicken habitat. Joint Fire Science Final Report. JFSP PROJECT ID: 13-1-06-8. https://www.firescience.gov/projects/13-1-06-8/project/13-1-06-8_final_report.pdf

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