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Constraints on mechanical fuel reduction treatments in USFS Wildfire Crisis Strategy priority landscapes

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dc.contributor.authorWoolsey, George, author
dc.contributor.authorHoffman, Chad M., advisor
dc.contributor.authorTinkham, Wade T., advisor
dc.contributor.authorBattaglia, Mike A., committee member
dc.contributor.authorRoss, Matthew R. V., committee member
dc.date.accessioned2024-05-27T10:31:43Z
dc.date.available2024-05-27T10:31:43Z
dc.date.issued2024
dc.description.abstractThe US Forest Service recently launched a Wildfire Crisis Strategy outlining objectives to safeguard communities and other values at risk by substantially increasing the pace and scale of fuel reduction treatment. This analysis quantified layered operational constraints to mechanical fuel reduction treatments including existing vegetation, protected areas, steep slopes, and administrative boundaries in prioritized landscapes. A Google Earth Engine workflow was developed to analyze the area where mechanical treatment is allowed and operationally feasible under three scenarios representing a range of management alternatives under current standards. Results suggest that a business-as-usual approach to mechanical fuel reduction is unlikely in most landscapes to achieve the 20-40% of high-risk area treatment objective using mechanical methods alone. Increased monetary spending to overcome physical constraints to mechanical treatment (e.g., steep slopes and road access) opens sufficient acreage to meet treatment objectives in 18 of 21 priority landscapes. Achieving treatment objectives in the remaining landscapes will require both increased spending and navigating administrative complexities within reserved land allocations to implement fuels treatments at the pace and scale needed to moderate fire risk to communities. Broadening the land base available for treatment allows for flexibility to develop treatment plans that optimize across the multiple-dimensions of effective landscape-scale fuel treatment design. Spatial identification of the constraints to mechanical operability allows managers and policymakers to effectively prioritize mechanical and managed fire treatments.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediummasters theses
dc.identifierWoolsey_colostate_0053N_18180.pdf
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10217/238355
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relation.ispartof2020-
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.subjectfuels management
dc.subjectforest planning
dc.titleConstraints on mechanical fuel reduction treatments in USFS Wildfire Crisis Strategy priority landscapes
dc.typeText
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplineForest and Rangeland Stewardship
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (M.S.)

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