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National Fire Plan Success Story

Fuel Treatment Effects On Wildfires, Tripod Fire
Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests, Washington
National Fire Plan - Fuels Reduction
October 2006

Fire Name: Tripod (171,405 acres)
Date of Fire: July through October, 2006
Location: Washington, Okanogan & Wenatchee National Forests

Fuel Treatment Type/Date of Treatment: Prescribed fire, May 2002.

Effect of the treatment on fire behavior and/or how it facilitated control efforts: Intensity was reduced significantly. Still had active fire throughout the under-burned area, however torching and crowning returned to a surface fire. Mortality was not as high as in the adjacent untreated stands.

Values protected by the treatment associated change in fire behavior/more rapid containment of the fire: Many of the units surrounding the treatment area were utilized for burnout operations. This allowed for halting the spread of the fire before entering the Interface area.

The following are just a few pictures of some of the treatment areas located within the Tripod Fire area.

Outside the upper flank of Bear #32, facing toward the Tripod fire
Outside the upper flank of Bear #32, facing toward the Tripod fire. Note heavy needle scorch and bole char.

Outside the upper flank of Bear #32, facing into the Bear unit.
This photo was taken from the same point as the first picture, facing into the Bear unit. Note canopy retention.

Middle of the eastern flank of Bear #32, facing into the Tripod fire.
Middle of the eastern flank of Bear #32, facing into the Tripod fire. Note heavy needle scorch and bole char.

Middle of the eastern flank of Bear #32, facing into the Bear unit.
This photo was taken from same point as the previous picture, facing into the Bear unit. Note greater canopy retention within the overstory and understory.