FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Atriplex canescens | Fourwing Saltbush 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Fourwing saltbush is reportedly tolerant of fire.  It is characterized
by a low volatization rate which renders the plant relatively
"fire-resistant" [38].  Char formation is increased at the expense of
flammable volatile compounds [38].

In most locations, underground regenerative structures survive even when
aboveground portions of the plant are consumed by fire [64].  However,
in southern Idaho, forwing saltbush seedlings were readily killed by
fire [S. Whisenant, pers. comm. 1987].  Young plants may be more
susceptible to fire-induced mortality, or ecotypic variation in
susceptibility may exist [S. Whisenant, pers. comm. 1987].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Fourwing saltbush generally sprouts vigorously from the root crown or
underground portions of the stem following fire [64].  However, no
sprouting was observed after young plants were burned in southern Idaho
[S. Whisenant, pers. comm. 1987].  Plants are presumably capable of
reestablishing some sites through an abundance of wind-dispersed seed
from adjacent unburned areas.

Reestablishment is usually rapid, with full recovery possible within 2
or 3 years [64].  The cultivar 'Rincon' was seeded and successfully
established within 2 years after fire in central Utah [4].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Fuels and flammability:  Because of its unusually low volatilization
rate, fourwing saltbush was tested for use as a firebreak species in
southern California [38].  Researchers learned that fourwing saltbush
communities usually average less than 15 tons of fuel per acre [33].
Research also indicated that the greater the ash content, the higher the
moisture content of the foliage of fourwing saltbush [33].  Ash levels
typically range from 5.6 to 24.2 percent [60].  Heat value of fourwing
saltbush ranges from 7,500 to 10,000 BTUs per pound, with foliage
averaging 8,475 BTUs per pound [33].

Postfire rehabilitation:  Managers have successfully planted cultivars
of fourwing saltbush on many burned sites with good results.  Fourwing
saltbush recovers rapidly and cultivars such as 'Rincon' have
reestablished certain burned sites which had few competing perennial
grasses within only 2 years after fire [4].  In postburn communities
this shrub produced an average of 20 times the crown volume of winterfat
and 40 times the crown volume of big sagebrush [4].

Related categories for Species: Atriplex canescens | Fourwing Saltbush