• CASE NAME
• SEASON/SEVERITY CLASSIFICATION
• STUDY LOCATION
• PREFIRE VEGETATIVE COMMUNITY
• TARGET SPECIES PHENOLOGICAL STATE
• SITE DESCRIPTION
• FIRE DESCRIPTION
• FIRE EFFECTS ON TARGET SPECIES
• FIRE MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

CASE NAME:

Horsehaven 2, Nevada

REFERENCE:
Zschaechner, G. 1985 [150]

SEASON/SEVERITY CLASSIFICATION:

fall/severe

STUDY LOCATION:

The burn occurred in northeastern Nevada on BLM lands, Elko District; approximately 8 miles (15 km) southwest of Jackpot, Nevada.

PREFIRE VEGETATIVE COMMUNITY:

The burn took place in a sagebrush-grass community. Some associated plants included big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana), low sagebrush (A. arbuscula), green rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus vicidiflorus), antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), Utah serviceberry (Amelanchier utahensis), bluegrass (Poa spp.), needlegrass (Stipa spp.), bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus), tailcup lupine (Lupinus caudatus), arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata), stickseed (Hackelia spp.), fiddleneck (Amsinckia spp.), and horsemint giant hyssop (Agastache urticifolia). The rubber rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus) stand was approximately 35 years old.

TARGET SPECIES PHENOLOGICAL STATE:

flowering

SITE DESCRIPTION:

Elevation: 7,500 feet (2285 m)
Aspect: southwest
Slope: 12%
Mean annual temperature: 44 degrees Fahrenheit (8 ^oC)
Mean annual precipitation: 8.84 inches (224.5 mm)
Soils: Derived from quartzite and volcanic rocks; rocky outcrops
Depth to bedrock: 26 inches (66 cm)

FIRE DESCRIPTION:

Horsehaven Burn #2 was carried out on October 6, 1980. Two plants were monitored for fire effects. One was 24 inches (60 cm) in height, a with 4.59 square foot (0.13 m²) crown, the other 51 inches (130 cm) in height with 17.65 square feet (0.50 cm²) of crown area. Basal clumps of both plants had a diameter of 25 inches (10 cm). Litter depth was measured at 0.8 inch (2 cm).

Conditions Reported:
Air temperature = 74 degrees Fahrenheit (23 ^oC)
Fireline intensity=840 to 3770 BTU/ft/sec
Relative Humidity = 16%
Heat/unit area = 1260 to 5660 BTU/ft²
Wind speed average = 3 mph (5.6 km/h)
Flame length=10 to 20 feet (3-6 m)
Live foliage moisture=112%

FIRE EFFECTS ON TARGET SPECIES:

One plant was completely consumed. On the other, fire left branches 0.5 to 1 inch (1.3-2.6 cm) in diameter. The plant that was consumed was more isolated from surrounding fuels. Both plants had approximately 1.2 inch (3 cm) of white ash at their bases.

Neither plant resprouted. Although foliage moisture was 112%, extreme fireline intensity probably removed the stem sprouting sources. Phenological state may also have been a factor. Burning was done when plants were flowering, a low point in their carbohydrate cycle.

FIRE MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS:

No entry

Related categories for SPECIES: Chrysothamnus nauseosus | Rubber Rabbitbrush