Short-Term Impacts of Operational Fuel Treatments on Modelled Fire Behaviour and Effects in Seasonally Dry Forests of British Columbia, Canada

This paper investigates the effectiveness of various fuel treatments in mitigating wildfire behavior in British Columbia's seasonally dry forests, a region increasingly vulnerable to extreme fires. Through field measurements and fire behavior modeling, the study assessed how different combinations of thinning, pruning, and residue fuel management impact the potential for crown fires and tree mortality. Key findings suggest that high-intensity thinning is more effective at reducing both passive and active crown fire potential and tree mortality compared to low-intensity thinning, while pruning after thinning offered little additional benefit. The study also highlights that chipping or pile burning residue fuel can reduce crown fire risk, but cautions that chipping may lead to delayed tree mortality not captured by current models, indicating a need for further research on its long-term effects.