Contemporary patterns of fire extent and severity in forests of the Pacific Northwest

A team of Oregon State University researchers and collaborators worked together to conduct a comprehensive examination of burn severity at all levels. They integrated Landsat time series data with field measurements of tree mortality to map burn severity in forests of the Pacific Northwest from 1985 to 2010. After examining temporal trends and spatial patterns of burn severity, they compared results among vegetation zones. Their results support concerns about large patches of high-severity fire in some dry forests. They also suggest that spatial patterns of burn severity are generally consistent with current understanding of historical landscape dynamics in the region. This study highlights the importance of considering the ecological effects of fire at all levels of severity in management and policy initiatives.