A recent study published in Global Change Biology has found that private land used for the timber industry is 45% more likely to experience severe fires than public forests in Sierra Nevada, California. The research analyzed the relationship between forest structure and type of ownership, concluding that fuel density plays a significant role in fire behavior.
The study’s findings align with current scientific research, which emphasizes the importance of fuel density in fire dynamics. In industrial forests, ladder-like formations of scrub allow fires to spread to treetops, creating towering flames that are difficult to extinguish. This type structure is more common in private land used for timber production than in public forests.
Contrary to popular belief, the species of tree does not determine the severity of a fire; instead, it’s the undergrowth and surface fuels that drive fire spread. To mitigate fires, forest management should focus on fuel management, keeping scrub and leaf litter loads below thresholds associated with high-intensity fires.
While industrial forests in Spain and Portugal are generally considered low-risk, they could become highly flammable if abandoned in the future. The study highlights the need for proactive measures to prevent forest fires and underscores the importance of responsible land use practices.
Source: https://sciencemediacentre.es/en/forests-managed-industry-are-more-prone-mega-fires-according-research-united-states