National Fire Plan Success Story
Wallspring Prescribed Fire Meets Multiple Goals
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, California
National Fire Plan - Fuels Reduction
2008
Giant sequoias benefit from a natural fire cycle. NPS photo.
Fire managers completed the 175-acre Wallspring Prescribed Fire during fall 2007 in Giant Forest, a popular visitor attraction in Sequoia National Park.
Multiple goals were achieved by the completion of this fire, including:
Encourage Giant Sequoia Renewal
Giant sequoias are fire adapted and thrive in a natural fire cycle. They have a thick, fire resistant bark. Fire opens the cones and releases the tiny seeds to the nutrient rich ash and mineral soil below, ideal conditions for this tree's germination. Fire thins competing vegetation and trees and opens the canopy for this sun-loving species.
Reduced Risk of Unwanted Fire
The Wallspring Fire provided additional protection from unwanted fire by reducing the amount of dead and down material and other fuels in the forest.
As a restoration burn, fire was being re-introduced after more than 100 years of fire exclusion. Scientists measured 100 tons of dead fuel per acre prior to the burn. Post-burn measurements showed a 90% reduction in these fuels. This dramatically limits the size and severity of potential wildfires and returns the area a more nature state.
Fire managers could safely return fire to an area that had unnaturally accumulated fuels. The desired ecological goals could be reached by following a defined prescription window that ensured that conditions such as temperature, wind, and relative humidity were within acceptable parameters.
Park visitors learn about the natural role of fire at the Fire Place. NPS photo by D. Schweizer.
Educational Experience for Visitors
The Giant Forest is one of the primary attractions for visitors to Sequoia National Park. The prescribed fire was an exciting additional experience for many visitors to Giant Forest. Park employees staffed the Fire Place, a mobile learning center dedicated to furthering visitors understanding of the role of fire in the park through educational and fun activities for all age groups. Visitors saw first-hand the benefit of natural fire for sequoias. After all, sequoias are one of the primary reasons for the park's creation and a constant draw for visitors to the park.
Contact: Deb Schweizer, Fire Communication and Education Specialist, phone: (559) 565--3703.