Tony Caprio introduced us to the Fire FX team at Sequoia Kings Canyon NPs. Led by Christy, the group took us out into the forest near Morro Rock, high up in the park, to see how a plot is monitored after a burn. The objectives for the monitoring include assessing if the burn met the objectives set such as reducing fuels; reducing tree stand density (for forest health); changing species composition and checking for adverse impacts from the burn.
The particular plot they were ‘reading’ this day had been burnt 2 years prior, and interestingly the fuel loading increased after fire – with dead trees falling over and adding significantly to the 1000 hour fuel category.
Plots have been monitored in the park since burning was re-introduced in 1968. Permanent plots are established pre-Rx fire, and post-fire at 1, 2, 5 and 10 year intervals, and more often if a wildfire burns through them.
The thorough set of measurements collected requires a team of 6 seasonal staff, who work roughly six months of the year. The National Park Service protocol for the monitoring plots which is standardised across the country can be found at National Park Service Fire Monitoring Handbook.
Thanks Tony and the Fire FX team!
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| The Fire FX team prepares for the day's monitoring |
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| All lunches get locked up in the bear proof canisters before starting |
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| Fresh evidence of black bears on the plot |
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| Photo points are taken |
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| Heavy fuels (1000 hours) increase after the first and second Rx fire |
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| Each tree is numbered |
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| This plot had been burned 2 years prior |
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| One of the team measuring each tree |
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| Measuring dead and downed fuel on one of the 4 Brown's transects on the plots |
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| Measuring litter and duff depth on the Brown's transects |
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| Christy identifying and measuring plants in the understorey |
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| Eric and a Giant Sequoia |
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| Fire adapted vegetation |
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| The seed of the Giant Sequoia |
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| Such a small cone for such a big tree! |
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| 26 year old Giant Sequoia |
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