Evaluation of silvicultural treatments and biomass use for reducing fire hazard in western states

摘要: Several analyses have shown that fire hazard is a concern for substantial areas of forestland, shrubland, grassland, and range in the western United States. In response, broadscale management strategies, such as National Fire Plan, established actions to reduce threat undesirable fire. Available budgets are insufficient pay vegetative on all acres where considered unacceptable. The purpose this report begin identify locations west reduction treatments potential “pay themselves” at scale over long enough time make investment additional forest product processing infrastructure realistic option. resulting revenues from these activities could presumably subsidize treatment other locations. Accordingly, we concentrate wood removed during has support products infrastructure. Areas were selected by criterion either torching or crowning likely wildfires when wind speeds below 25 mph. We thinning designed result evenaged uneven-aged stand conditions. If there ecological limitations basal area allowed be need obtain certain amount merchantable volume help cover costs, then appear more achieve one our targets. Thinning maintain an structure controversial because it removes larger trees, although revenue covers harvest costs frequently than does even-aged structure. removal large trees may reduced supplementary increase index rather reach high index. Treatments analyzed would treat 7.2 18.0 million acres, including 0.8 1.2 wildland urban interface area, provide 169 640 oven-dry tons woody biomass (e.g., main stem, tops, limbs). About 55% sawlogs. Sixty 70% treated California, Idaho, Montana. To prepare example estimate annual 12 states, assume needing divided into two parts equal area. For half applied if least 300 ft3 removed; half, removed. Under scenario, 0.5 acres/year generate 14.6 per year about 29% current level roundwood removals states.