Fire severity change with distance into fuel treatments: Research brief

This research brief reviews two recent studies that address the question of what distance into fuel treatments fire needs to travel before fire severity is diminished. By measuring the spatial distribution of fire severity as fire moves into fuel treatments, effective sizes of fuel treatments can be quantified. Using a science-backed estimate for planning fuel treatments can help balance cost-effectiveness while ensuring treatments meet objectives. 

Fuel treatments are used to alleviate risks associated with unprecedented fuel loadings prevalent within dry forests across the western US. Fuel treatment zones are designed to lower fire severity and can act as strategic locations for firefighters to extinguish fires near homes or other resources. Given the limited funds available to land management agencies, fuel treatments need to be strategic in placement and size.