Turning Up the Heat

Guest post by Clemson Summer Program student Emory Beer - 

The first section of the Clemson Prairie Ecology course focused on fire and forest management. Sustaining and preserving Montana's landscapes, vegetation, and natural resources for future generations involves balancing environmental needs with social expectations regarding fire management. Montana's rugged landscape, shaped by fire and a changing climate, faces further alterations due to human activities such as building houses, towns, and businesses like ranches. Increased human settlement has reduced the occurrence of natural fires, leading to denser forests. This density results in more fuel buildup and a higher potential for wildfires, especially as the population grows. Naturally, forests burn every 2-40 years, making it a matter of when, not if, they will burn.

During our research, we observed fire-scarred trees, which can be used to calculate fire intervals and predict future fires. As fires occur less frequently due to fire breaks, fuel accumulates, leading to hotter and more destructive fires. These intense fires can kill entire trees and sterilize the soil. Additionally, fallen debris from larger fires provides more fuel for future fires. However, proper management techniques such as thinning and controlled burns can reduce the intensity and destructiveness of wildfires by reducing fuels. In burned and thinned plots, we observed diverse and lush vegetation, while unburned and unthinned plots were covered in dead pine straw with little species richness. Being an Animal Science major, I did not understand the scale of how much fire can help the forest ecosystem. Learning and seeing this knowledge firsthand was very eye-opening to how well-managed fires can promote growth and support wildlife and possibly for the wildlife to come back even stronger.

Conversations with Jeff (Fire Management Officer), Dustin (Rural Fire Coordinator), and Noah (Forest Action Planner) from the DNRC provided valuable insights since they worked the Bobcat Fire. Jeff highlighted that more roads and industrialization have created additional fire breaks, a perspective I found surprising since I expected firefighters to advocate for people living further from wildland interfaces for safety. Dustin emphasized the priorities in firefighting: public safety, structures, and natural resources. Interestingly, ranchers prioritize saving livestock over their homes. This mindset was very intriguing to me as it shows how dedicated ranchers are to the livelihood of raising cattle and doing anything possible to provide beef for the country.

I inquired about ranchers' responses to prescribed burns and their hesitations. Surprisingly, ranchers recognize the benefits of fire for managing their land and promoting biodiversity. The main concern is liability. Jeff mentioned that Montana is working on a system allowing ranchers to conduct their own burns, which could transform public perception of fire and land management as ranchers could treat the landscape as needed. This treatment will allow for wildfire to not be as intense as fuel buildup will be kept down. Hopefully with fire education in the works, it can be a turning point in how most Montana residents view fire and their land management. However, Jeff also noted that communicating with the public and navigating regulations are significant challenges. I believe the obstacle of communication will potentially slow the adoption of sustainable practices.

Noah focuses on ecological restoration by helping private landowners thin trees through mastication and cutting. He assists in writing grants to offset the costs of these processes. Noah explained that people are attached to trees because of the “outdoor feel” people perceive with trees, making it challenging to meet grant qualifications and landowner expectations. The recommended number of trees per acre is about 25, much lower than what people are accustomed to. To build trust, Noah takes gradual steps in the thinning process, which helps landowners see the benefits and encourages wider acceptance. If baby steps are introduced, this trust and satisfaction with his work will spread to other neighbors. As landowners are satisfied with his work, he can gradually add more acreage to thin.

Overall, Montana is shifting towards using fire and forest thinning to sustain its landscapes. Although human activities have permanently altered the landscape, it is encouraging to see efforts towards ecological restoration. The community is beginning to recognize the benefits of fire for vegetation growth and cattle nutrition as they can see the lasting effects from the last wildfire. As trust between forest managers and citizens grows, fire and thinning as management techniques will likely become more prevalent in Montana, transforming fire from a destructive force into a vital tool for maintaining the state's natural beauty.