FIRE EFFECTS AND USE
WILDLIFE SPECIES: Felis concolor | Mountain Lion 



DIRECT FIRE EFFECTS ON ANIMALS : 
Information was not found in the literature regarding direct effects of
fire on mountain lions.  Kittens are probably most vulnerable to fire.
The activities of eight radio-tagged mountain lions were monitored
during and after the 1988 fire season in Yellowstone National Park.
Movement patterns of five adults and two kittens suggested that they
avoided areas with fires in progress, but used them afterward where prey
numbers and cover were not greatly reduced [38].


HABITAT RELATED FIRE EFFECTS : 
Mountain lion habitat can be enhanced or expanded by fires that improve
habitat for prey species [42,54].  Preferred forage for deer is
generally more productive and easily accessible following fire.
Frequent fire over large areas maintains many stands in a successional
stage favorable to deer.  Deer populations commonly increase
dramatically following forest fire, provided 40 percent or more escape
cover remains after the burn [54].  Mountain lion numbers increased
after fire in a western redcedar (Thuja plicata)-western hemlock (Tsuga
heteropylla) forest in British Columbia.  This increase may have been
related to an increase in mule deer populations.  Mountain lions became
so common that one hunter killed 18 during one season where a few years
previous it was unusual to even see mountain lion tracks [13].  In
California chaparral communities, mountain lions are attracted to the
edges of recent burns where deer tend to congregate [29].

During the late 1940's and early 1950's, logging and wildfires in the
pines and cypress of Florida provided ideal habitat for white-tailed
deer, and their numbers increased until the forest canopy began closing
over in the mid-1960's.  Florida panther populations also increased
during this period [20].

Mountain lions may change their home range in response to fire.  The
activities of eight radio-tagged mountain lions were monitored during
and after the 1988 fire season in Yellowstone National Park.  After the
fire season, two adult mountain lions and two kittens showed pronounced
changes in their home ranges.  A comparison of home ranges of three
adult mountain lions from winter 1987 through 1989 showed that each
individual is presently using a different area.  The changes may have
been due to fire; however, differences in snow accumulations,
temperature, drought, and distribution of prey animals could also
account for the new patterns.  Eleven percent of the radio-locations of
the eight radio-tagged mountion lions have occurred in burned habitat.
Eleven percent of the mountain lion prey has been captured in burned
areas [38].

For more information concerning fire effects on species of mountain lion
prey (i.e., mule deer, elk, white-tailed deer, and moose) refer to
write-ups on these species in the Fire Effects Information System.


FIRE USE : 
Prescribed burning programs designed to improve habitat for large
ungulates such as deer and elk also benefit mountain lions.  Prescribed
fires to improve winter range for mule and white-tailed deer have been
conducted in the Southern East Kootenay Strategic Plan Area, British
Columbia, in recent years [47].

Prescribed fire is currently being used in Florida panther habitat for
fuel reductions to prevent catastrophic wildfires.  To provide maximum
benefits for deer and other important Florida panther prey species,
prescribed fires should be conducted on a 2- to 5-year rotation,
depending upon fuel type and site conditions.  Burn areas should be less
than 6,177 acres (2,500 ha); annual partial fires or fires every 2 to 5
years should be used when possible to increase habitat heterogeneity
[42].


REFERENCES : 
NO-ENTRY

Related categories for Wildlife Species: Felis concolor | Mountain Lion