Session B—Fuel Management Strategies—Gray, Blackwell Fuel Management Strategies in 60-Year-Old Douglas-Fir/Ponderosa Pine Stands in the Squamish Forest District, British Columbia

The restoration of dry forest ecosystems in the Squamish Forest District in the past has focused on treating stands with no prior history of selective harvest and containing a large population of remnant historical stand structure. Many 60 to 90 year old stands that date to turn of the century selective harvest operations also exist in the district. These stands contain very high densities of Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine and few historical structures. Silviculture prescriptions were developed to thin these stands to a remnant structure that would be more resilient to future wildfires that may occur between the maintenance prescribed burn schedule. Several strategies were employed, including manual thinning only, thinning and fuel wood harvest, and thinning and mulching. All thinning treatments were followed by prescribed fire. From a strategic perspective, the treatment results indicate that options exist for creating wildfire resilient stands. The best overall option is to thin, remove the material, and then burn the site.