FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Artemisia arbuscula ssp. arbuscula | Gray Low Sagebrush 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Gray low sagebrush is severely damaged or killed by fire [73,11].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Recovery time of gray low sagebrush following fire is variable and is
described as "slow to rapid" [71].  Recovery may occur within 2 to 5
years under favorable conditions but may require more than 10 years on
harsh sites [71].  Gray low sagebrush reestablishes a site through seed
dispersed by wind from off-site sources [71].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 



FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Even when conditions allow fire spread, prescribed burning in low
sagebrush sites often produces few benefits [10,71]; many experts
recommend against widespread burning in low sagebrush types [12].  Sage
grouse in particular can be adversely impacted when large, contiguous
blocks of low sagebrush are burned [37].  Erosion may also be a problem
on many harsh sites where revegetation proceeds very slowly.  Reliable
prescriptions have not yet been developed for use in low sagebrush
habitat types [10].

Gray low sagebrush has been used successfully as a fuelbreak [65,68].

Related categories for Species: Artemisia arbuscula ssp. arbuscula | Gray Low Sagebrush