REDUCTION OF FIRE HAZARD THROUGH THINNING RESIDUE DISPOSAL IN THE URBAN INTERFACE

Alternative fire hazard reduction techniques are needed for managing f uel profiles in forest ecosystems located within the so-called wildlan d-urban interface. The present study includes experimental fuel manipu lations initiated along the Rocky Mountain National Park interface wit h residential areas in Colorado, USA. Three thinning/slash disposal tr eatments were applied on two lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) stands: t hinning with whole-tree removal; thinning with stem removal - lopping and scattering; and thinning with stem removal - hand piling and burni ng. Results indicate that treatments reduced surface fire behavior par ameters, bringing them down and closer to Limits of direct attack meth ods. Crown fire potential was decreased not only because of canopy rem oval, but also as a result of potential reduction in heat generated by surface fuels. Projected fire behavior for the thinning-without-slash -removal scenario indicates the possibility of serious control problem s with major fire runs and crown fires given an outbreak.