National Fire Plan Success Story
Fuel Treatment Effects On Wildfires, Steed Fire
Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Utah
National Fire Plan - Fuels Reduction
July 2006
Fire Name: Steed Fire
Date of Fire: July 8, 2006
Location: Utah - Wasatch-Cache, Region 4
Firefighters thinning and chipping fuels along the fire break road.
Steed Fire map.
Fuel Treatment Type/Date of Treatment: Significant mechanical fuel treatment was completed along the fire break road in 2005.
Effect of the treatment on fire behavior and/or how it facilitated control efforts: On July 20, 2004, Forest Service crews began thinning and chipping operations in some of the heaviest fuel accumulation areas. The combined Forest Service - community efforts represent a small, but significant, starting point in addressing the wildfire threat along the Wasatch Front in Davis County, Utah.
The Steed Fire started approximately 400 feet above the fire break road in Gamble oak, sagebrush and grass. Down canyon winds pushed the fire west towards the fire break road and local neighborhoods. These winds are typical along the Wasatch Front and occur nightly. The treatment to the fire break road reduced the fires intensity, which made it feasible for fire crews to establish control line, which prevented the fire from moving into the neighborhood and threatening structures. Also, the treatment allowed access into steed canyon so crews could establish control lines on the lower end of the fire and prevent the potential spread of the fire moving into steed Canyon.
Values protected by the treatment associated change in fire behavior/more rapid containment of the fire: 30 to 35 residential residences valued at approximately 11 million dollars.