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Effects of landscape position and season of burn on fire temperature in Southern Ohio's mixed oak forests

Informally Refereed

Abstract

The use of fire to maintain and restore oak (Quercus spp.) ecosystems is becoming an increasingly accepted silvicultural tool; however, specific management recommendations have been slow to develop as past studies have shown mixed results. By examining fire temperature in response to landscape position and season of burn, we attempted to offer increased insight into the use of prescribed fire to effectively regenerate oak. Prescribed burns were performed in 2004 in two oak forests that encompassed 96 and 170 ha. One forest was burned late-March and the other was burned early-November. Eight areas that represented the four aspects and two slope positions (upper and lower) were marked out within each forest and replicated. Fire temperature was measured using temperature-sensitive paint applied to aluminum tags (pyrometer) at three different heights above the forest floor. Six pyrometers were placed in each area, providing a total of 192 sets of temperature/height data. Pre-burn fuel conditions were characterized around each temperature gauge. Temperature readings as indicated by temperature-sensitive paint were recorded immediately after each burn. Fall burns were significantly hotter than spring burns at all aspects and slope positions. This same trend was recorded at the different height readings, indicating longer flame lengths during the fall burn. This paper discusses how fire reacts to landscape position and season of burn, and how these factors may be used to more successfully implement prescribed fire for oak management objectives.

Parent Publication

Citation

Schwemlein, Doug J.; Williams, Roger A. 2007. Effects of landscape position and season of burn on fire temperature in Southern Ohio''s mixed oak forests. e-Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS–101. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station: 250-257 [CD-ROM].
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/27833