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National Fire Plan Success Story

Fuel Treatment Effects On Wildfires, Tiger / Rock Fire
Prescott National Forest, Arizona
National Fire Plan - Fuels Reduction
July 2006

Fire Name: Tiger / Rock Fire (final size 6568 acres)
Date of Fire: July 2006
Location: Arizona - Prescott National Forest, Region 3

Fuel Treatment Type/Date of Treatment: Spring of 2006 a 100 acre fuel break was constructed southeast of Horse Thief Basin Summer Homes. The fuel break was constructed in ponderosa pine, and the stand was thinned and piled however; these piles were not burned prior to the Tiger / Rock Fire.

Effect of the treatment on fire behavior and/or how it facilitated control efforts: A Type III organization responded to the Tiger / Rock Fire. Steep, rugged, inaccessible terrain limited direct attack opportunities. The ICT3 recognized his tactics were restricted and opted to use the recently constructed HorseThief Basin fuel break to initiate a back fire operation. The Type 3 organization and Forest believed this was their only option to protect the subdivision and associated infrastructure while providing for firefighter and public safety. This was the only line of defense with the resources assigned. A Type I incident management team was ordered.

While gearing up for this operation (crews, engines, aircraft, and overhead) there was a timely change in weather. Cooler temperatures, increased humidity, and limited moisture in the fire area allowed the Type I management team to shift its strategy and go direct attack. Therefore the fuel break was not used. If there had not been a change in the weather the back firing operation, using the HorseThief Basin fuel break would have commenced.

Values protected by the treatment associated change in fire behavior/more rapid containment of the fire: Values protected included the 40-50 homes in the Horse Thief Basin and associated infrastructure.