Wildfires and their Impact on Biodiversity

Within Mountainous Regions

CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents................................................................................................................................ 2
Figures .................................................................................................................................. 2
Abstract ................................................................................................................................ 3
Wildfires threaten Biodiversity of Mountainous Regions ........................................................ 3
A Growing Threat ...........................................................................................................................3
Managing Risks and Recovery ............................................................................................... 4
Forecasting ....................................................................................................................................4
Firefighting ....................................................................................................................................5
Rehabilitation and Restoration .......................................................................................................5
Impacts of Managing Wildfires on Biodiversity ...................................................................... 6
Effectiveness of Fire Management Methods ...................................................................................6
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Fire, 2016 ...........................................................................7
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 8
References............................................................................................................................. 9

FIGURES

FIGURES
Figure 1 – Wildfire Hazard Potential Map (USDA, 2012) ........................................................... 4
Figure 2 - Members of National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) .............................................. 4
Figure 3 - Ground Team digging Fire Line (National Forest Service, NFS) ............................... 5
Figure 4 - BAER Team, Soil erosion prevention .......................................................................... 6
Figure 5 - Carlos C. Campbell Overlook: Post Fire (Left, 2016) & Recovered (Right, 2017) .... 7
ABSTRACT
Biodiversity is essential for thriving ecosystems around the world. As climates change, the
stability of each ecosystem is threatened in different ways. For mountainous regions,
especially those with forests, the risk of wildfires can be a concern. In some areas, like the
Appalachian mountain range and biodiversity hotspot, the risk is higher than others. That is
why a comprehensive, multifaceted program is necessary in addressing wildfires. Every
aspect, from before, during, and after a wildfire has occurred, must be considered. That is
why the National Park Service works with other agencies to address the realities of wildfire
risk in a time of climate change. With the methods prescribed by this joint network of
agencies, wildfires can have their impact reduced or prevented.

WILDFIRES THREATEN BIODIVERSITY OF MOUNTAINOUS REGIONS

Ecosystems are communities or networks of organisms and their environment as a system.
One measure of an ecosystem health is how its biodiversity, or how much variety of life
there is within it. According to the Landscape Partnership, the Central and Southern
Appalachians are “the most significant biodiversity ‘hotspot’ east of the Rocky Mountains”
and “unrivaled in the U.S. for aquatic species diversity and comparable only to China for
forest diversity” (Landscape Partnership). Ecosystems rely on biodiversity as one method to
prevent system collapse, where one or more organisms of the system are depended upon for
the rest of the system to function. If any of these organisms were to disappear a local system
could fall apart.

A G ROWING T HREAT
Wildfires are a major threat to the biodiversity of the Appalachian hotspot. According to the
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in a Wildfire Hazard Potential report,
conditions within the region as of 2012 vary from Low to High (FFS) as seen in the map,
Figure 1, on the following page. Although the region is likely drier and at a higher risk today
due to climate change. As temperatures rise the region experiences less snowfall and fewer
gradual melting periods to supply surface water back to the region. In a public service
announcement from the Union of Concerned Scientists it was noted that “wet areas are
expected to become wetter and dry areas drier” as a result from this shift (UCUSA). Below is
a figure of the map provided by the United States Department of Agriculture regarding
wildfire risk.
 Figure 1 – Wildfire Hazard Potential Map (USDA, 2012)

MANAGING RISKS AND RECOVERY

Wildfires have been a threat to ecosystems and communities long before climate change
became a public concern. The National Park Service in conjunction with the Department of
Agriculture, National Forest Service, and first responders around the United States have
developed several approaches to managing wildfires. The group in charge of these efforts is
the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). This multipronged approach uses forecasting,
firefighting, and rehabilitation and restoration services (United States Forest Service).

F ORECASTING
All methods under this category are part of a group of
activities known as Predictive Services. These services
consist of weather and climate analysis, fuel and danger
analysis, and activity and asset intelligence. Weather and
climate analysis often include working with meteorologists
to track trends, predict dry areas, and provide spot
forecasting for at risk regions. Defining at-risk regions is
also critical for determining where to engage in controlled
burns called prescribed burns. Analyzing fire danger Figure 2 - Members of National
requires an understanding of potential fuel sources, Interagency Fire Center (NIFC)
likelihood of occurrence, frequency reports, fire behavior,
and asset needs. Agencies work together to combat wildfires. Through data sharing,
personnel, and equipment these agencies combat fires from before to after an event. All of
this wouldn’t be possible without activity and asset intelligence. Intelligence staff coordinate
personnel and the necessary tools to quickly address any wildfire.

F IREFIGHTING
Once a wildfire has occurred, action is required by the U.S.
Forest Service and local first responders within the affected
area. Ground and air teams employ aircraft, engines, and
suppression equipment to assist in ending or controlling a
fire.

Ground teams often use 20-person teams to construct fire-

lines or fire break to control the spread of fires. These areas
are usually cleared of flammable debris through digging Figure 3 - Ground Team digging Fire
Line (National Forest Service, NFS)
trenches. Among ground teams are highly trained and
physically capable individuals called Hotshots that are sent to the most dangerous portions of
a fire. Additionally, specialized fire engines are used to transport crew, water, and foam to
assist in halting a fire’s progress.

While the ground team attempts to halt the progress of a fire, aerial teams often work to
suppress existing fires and prevent new areas from igniting. Aerial teams specialize in large
scale efforts to wildfires, especially those in remote regions, deploying smokejumpers, water,
and chemical-based retardants. Air crews deploy specialized team members early on by
parachute. Although they are aerial units, smokejumpers are one of the first types of ground
personnel used to fight fires in remote regions. In addition to smokejumpers, large scale
aircraft dump water to suppress existing fires while water and retardants are used to prevent
or slow the rate of burning in at-risk areas nearest the wildfire.

R EHABILITATION AND R ESTORATION

When a fire has occurred, it is sometimes necessary to assist in recovery of affected areas.
The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) program is responsible for identifying which
regions need assistance. Criteria for assistance depend on threats to safety, property, and
critical natural and cultural resources within National Forest System lands. BAER’s work
“often begins before the fire is out and may continue for up to a year (United States Forest
Service).”
 BAER is often staffed with trained professionals
that help with immediate action for high or
unacceptable risk scenarios. Soil erosion,
contaminated water runoff, flooding, and more are
the responsibility of these professionals. Specialists
include hydrologists, engineers, biologists and more
who evaluate the damage. If necessary, these
specialists will suggest emergency treatments to
decrease the negative impact the wildfire and
Figure 4 - BAER Team, Soil erosion prevention prevention caused.

Beyond immediate treatments long-term rehabilitation of affected habitats include planting

new vegetation, reintroducing species, removing invasive species, and otherwise restoring
habitats. Other considerations also include facilities, campgrounds, and housing to reduce the
risk of further wildfires from human hands. The work done has the additional benefit of
helping safeguard infrastructure.

IMPACTS OF MANAGING WILDFIRES ON BIODIVERSITY

The methods prescribed above are not without limitations or criticisms. There are issues
pertaining to infrastructure and groups asking if this interagency plan can be successfully
enacted across the coverage area. The areas covered are only National Forests unless in the
case of extreme emergency or public threat. Furthermore, some critics say the plan isn’t as
effective as it is claimed. While the first two criticisms are factually true, the third point
dismisses the known impacts of the tools and methods deployed.

E FFECTIVENESS OF F IRE M ANAGEMENT M ETHODS

Fire breaks, backburning, and prescribed burns as techniques rely on the principle that fires
need fuel to burn. In all three cases methods are being used to starve a wildfire before it
reaches a designated area. As a rule, fire breaks need to be two to three times as wide as the
nearest vegetation is tall. When deployed effectively this method chokes off fires completely.
The only risk to reignition or fire growth is dependent on whether winds throw embers into
areas with additional fuel.

Fire retardants used by NIFC are often long-term mixtures that decrease fire intensity and
slow the advance of the fire. Since these mixtures do no rely on water as an active ingredient,
they can last for a period after their internal water has evaporated. According to U.S. Forest
Service, “The amount of time that long-term retardants are effective in reducing fire
intensity and spread after the water they contain has evaporated varies from several days to
up to one week or more depending on vegetation type, coverage levels, precipitation, and
other factors. (United States Forest Service)” Additionally, in a video released by NIFC two
troughs with identical material were burned together, one treated and on untreated. While
both troughs burned, the treated bed took over twice as long to burn completely. If this
solution is used at scale, the amount of terrain that could be saved by getting ahead of a fire
could be what saves an ecosystem.

The overall effectiveness of these methods is dependent on environmental factors like

drought, vegetation, fuel density, and wind. Ahead of all these factors is time. Whether or
not the above methods function correctly is largely a matter of how quickly teams can get
ahead of the wildfires. The sooner a team can assess the speed and direction the fire is
moving, the sooner they are able to put in place effective countermeasures. With such quick
and effective measures in place large habitats can be preserved and by extension, ecosystems
can be saved as well. This collectively reduces the overall impact wildfires have on
biodiversity.

G REAT S MOKY M OUNTAINS N ATIONAL P ARK F IRE , 2016

Covering an area of 522,419 acres, this national park spans portions of the Appalachian
hotspot along the Tennessee-North Carolina border. In 2016, approximately 17,900 acres of
this area burned when two juveniles committed arson within the park. The fire lasted twelve
days in total and was confined to less than 3.5% of the park’s land. That is significantly fewer
than the national average of 52 days of wildfire lifespan (Kaufman).

It is with the assistance of NICF and the BAER program that the Great Smoky Mountains
National Park has seen minimal damage and such a pronounced recovery.

Figure 5 - Carlos C. Campbell Overlook: Post Fire (Left, 2016) & Recovered (Right, 2017)
CONCLUSION
The risk to biodiversity increases as climate change affects habitats, making them drier. As
these habitats become drier their associated wildfire risk increases. With shifts in weather
patterns and longer dry spells, wildfires are putting larger areas at risk for habitat
destruction. With a combination of methods, a network of agencies around the United States
have dedicated themselves to the management and prevention of wildfires around the
nation. Through ground and aerial teams, the National Interagency Fire Center deploys
personnel and equipment. Among these tools and methods are retardants that halt or slow
the progress of fires giving NIFC the needed time to assess and deploy further
countermeasures. Even in the event of habitat destruction the Burned Area Emergency
Response program can help rehabilitate habitats and restore native species. With quick
deployment wildfires are managed and often reduce the negative impacts on the affected
regions. By minimizing the negative impacts of wildfires on habitats, biodiversity can persist
within a region.
REFERENCES
“ASU Anthropology graduates working as part of the Burned Area Emergency Response
team in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.” Appalachian State University, 16
Aug. 2017, anthro.appstate.edu/news/asu-anthropology-graduates-working-part-
burned-area-emergency-response-team-great-smoky. Accessed 16 Jul. 2019.

“Biodiversity ‘Hotspot.’” Landscape Partnership,

www.landscapepartnership.org/cooperative/our-plan/section-1/biodiversity-hotspot.
Accessed 15 Jul. 2019.

Kaufman, Mark. “How long does it take for today’s violent wildfires to go out?” Mashable, 15
Aug. 2018, mashable.com/article/wildfire-burn-how-long-climate-change/. Accessed
15 Jul. 2019.

“Managing Fire.” United States Forest Service, www.fs.fed.us/science-technology/fire.

Accessed 15 Jul. 2019.

“Water and Climate Change.” Union of Concerned Scientists United States of America
(UCUSA), www.ucsusa.org/global-warming/science-and-impacts/impacts/water-and-
climate-change.html. Accessed 15 Jul. 2019.

“Wildfire Hazard Potential.” Fire, Fuel, Smoke Science Program (FFS),

www.firelab.org/project/wildfire-hazard-potential. Accessed 17 Jul. 2019.

“Wildland Fire: Managing Risk.” National Park Service, www.nps.gov/subjects/fire/wildland-

fire-risk-management.htm. Accessed 16 Jul. 2019.