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SODA FIRE RESTORATION: DIFFERNIG APPROACHES IN OREGON AND IDAHO
Author
Germino, Matthew J.
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
2018
Body

Rangeland wildfire and the human response to them continue to be one of the most extensive and intensive efforts in sagebrush-steppe rangelands. There are substantial challenges and opportunities made during post-fire response that require an �all hands, all lands� approach.� Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation (ESR) efforts that followed the 2015 Soda Wildfire represent an improved effort to understand, and restore resistance and resilience in sagebrush-steppe landscapes.� The fire burned approximately 113,000 topographically varied hectares in the Owyhee Mountains.� This included priority sage grouse habitat, portions of two states, and >100 grazing allotment/pasture.� The fire followed Secretarial Order #3336 on Rangeland Fire Prevention and Restoration, and thus a larger investment into invasive plant control and post-fire treatments were made. ��Treatment objectives and grazing resumption objectives were developed by BLM with input from interagency partners with a focus on resistant and resilient landscapes.� Monitoring results continue to be shared with an interagency partner�s group.� Monitoring data are reported with a focus on 1) treatment/vegetation responses effectiveness 2) re-treatment needs or opportunities, and 3) grazing resumption determination.� During periods of livestock rest vegetative data was collected by monitoring >2000 plots across the burn area. The partners have worked together to substantially advance organization and documentation of data and create unparalleled learning opportunities.� The monitoring data combine with complementary research efforts on topics such as identifying thresholds and tipping points in resistance and resilience (changes in exotic-annual and perennial grass cover and roots), assessing bunchgrass readiness to withstand grazing resumption, identifying suitable sites for sagebrush recovery, benefits of multiple-layered treatments, and other aspects of ecosystem response.� While information collected on the Soda Fire is most applicable to the Soda Fire itself, there are many gained insights that will be useful for developing post-fire responses to other large rangeland fires.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Conference Name
SRM Reno, NV
Collection
SRM Annual Meeting Abstracts