• 1st CASE STUDY:
Prescribed burning applications in light, flashy fuels of Blacktail Hills, Montana
• 2nd CASE STUDY: Prescribed burning of mountain range on the Gallatin National Forest, Montana
• 3rd CASE STUDY: Prescribed burning of shrubby cinquefoil stands in the Little Belt Mountains in Montana

1st CASE STUDY:

• REFERENCE
• 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:
Prescribed burning applications in light, flashy fuels of Blacktail Hills, Montana

REFERENCE:
Keown, L. D. 1977 [92]

FIRE CASE STUDY AUTHORSHIP:
Tirmenstein, D. 1987.

SEASON/SEVERITY CLASSIFICATION:
spring/low

STUDY LOCATION:
This prescribed fire was conducted in the Blacktail Hills near Stanford, Montana.

PREFIRE VEGETATIVE COMMUNITY:
The burn units in this study included sites that were grass- or shrub-dominated, as well as ecotonal areas where forest communities intermixed with grass or shrub communities. The general vegetative composition of these units was:
  1) shrub dominated
  2) shrubs and scattered limber pine (Pinus flexilis)
  3) shrub dominated
  4) shrub/forest ecotone
  5) grass/forest ecotone
  6) grass and scattered limber pine; bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) well represented

Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), limber pine, and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) occurred on most units, and one quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) was present on one burn unit. Common shrubs included shrubby cinquefoil (Dasiphora floribunda), bearberry, gooseberry and currant (Ribes spp.), Wood's rose (Rosa woodsii), russet buffaloberry (Shepherdia canadensis), comon snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus), and creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis). Burn units also had unspecified bunchgrasses and forbs.

Nearly pure stands of shrubby cinquefoil occurring in the shrub-dominated vegetation grew 1 to 3 feet (0.3-1 m) tall and reached densities of 7,500 plants/acre (18,750 plants/ha).

The grazing history of these units was not fully documented, varying between sites and within individual sites. One shrub dominated site was noted as heavily grazed.

TARGET SPECIES PHENOLOGICAL STATE:
The phenological state of shrubby cinquefoil was not specified, but plants were probably experiencing current season growth and beginning to flower.

SITE DESCRIPTION:
The overall topography of the area was gentle. Some relatively flat units were bordered by a slope on one side.

FIRE DESCRIPTION:
Air temperature: 55 to 65 ^oFahrenheit (13-18 ^oC)
Relative humidity: 20 to 40%
Wind: calm to 25 mph
Fuel moisture: 7%
Soil moisture: wet or saturated
Snow cover: present in parts of some units

Fuels were classified as "Model C", with herbaceous vegetation as the primary carrier of fire, or "Model D", with most fuels 1 inch (2.5 cm) or less in diameter. Fuels varied according to the vegetative composition of each unit. All of the burn units had light, flashy fuels mixed with trees, shrubs, or slash. Douglas-fir and limber pine had basal limbs which extended to the ground and were very flammable. These trees burned at "fairly high" intensities. With its fibrous bark, shrubby cinquefoil also constituted a high-intensity, flashy fuel. Fuel volumes determined for two of the burn units were as follows:

This prescribed burn was conducted during the spring. Two methods of firing were used in this prescribed burn, strip-head and backing. The strip-head method was intended to achieve a rapid rate of spread with maximum scorch height and minimum soil heating, and was found to be preferable to the backing method. The backing method was slow and worked poorly, producing irregular burn patterns and going out easily.

Fire in the grass-dominated unit was characterized by a rapid rate of spread. In places, patches of bearberry inhibited the rate of spread and created a mosaic of burned and unburned vegetation. On many ungrazed sites, a "ladder effect" was noted, which resulted in severe defoliation of trees as fire moved upward from the tall grass to the lower tree branches. In grazed areas, fuels were reduced and trees were less seriously damaged.

A rate of spread ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 feet (0.2-0.5 m) per second was typical in the shrub-dominated units. Flame heights of 4 feet (1.2 m) were common. Flame depths at maximum rates of spread were 30 to 40 feet (9-12 m). Shrubby cinquefoil, with its fibrous bark, was largely responsible for heightened fire intensity in these shrub communities. Defoliation of scattered trees on these shrub units was common, resulting in up to 90% mortality of these trees.

Highest severity fires with the lowest rates of spread occurred in the ecotonal areas. Crowning was common at the forest-shrub boundary. Pruning of the lower 50% of the crown was more typical where shrubs were absent.

FIRE EFFECTS ON TARGET SPECIES:
This spring burn caused little shrubby cinquefoil mortality. Soil moisture was high enough to prevent heat from penetrating to the root crown, and shrubby cinquefoil commonly resprouted. However, canopy coverage of shrubby cinquefoil was reduced by an average of 75%.

Preburn percent coverage of shrubby cinquefoil averaged 26%, decreasing to 12% after fire.

FIRE MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS:
Domestic cattle and deer were observed feeding preferentially in burned areas. Cattle use of shrubby cinquefoil was estimated at 24% of available plants. In the following winter, snow depths on burned plots were generally much lower than on similar unburned areas, possibly due to shorter and smaller crowns of shrubby cinquefoil in the burned areas. Elk and deer utilized these burned areas to a greater degree due to relative ease of movement and an increase in available food.

2nd CASE STUDY:

• REFERENCE
• 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:
Prescribed burning of mountain range on the Gallatin National Forest

REFERENCE:
Nimir, M. B.; Payne, G. F. 1978 [128]

FIRE CASE STUDY AUTHORSHIP:
Tirmenstein, D. 1987.

SEASON/SEVERITY CLASSIFICATION:
spring/low

STUDY LOCATION:
The burn site was located in southwestern Montana on the Taylor Fork of the Gallatin River, immediately southwest of the junction of Taylor Fork and Wapiti Creek.

PREFIRE VEGETATIVE COMMUNITY:
Dominant shrubs on the site included big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), silver sagebrush (Artemisia cana), and shrubby cinquefoil (Dasiphora floribunda). Onespike danthonia (Danthonia unispicata) was the dominant grass, occurring with Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus), alpine bluegrass (Poa alpina), green needlegrass (Nassella viridula), and sedges (Carex spp.). Common forbs on the site included slender cinquefoil (Potentilla gracilis), old man's whiskers (Geum triflorum), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), sticky geranium (Geranium viscosissimum), lava aster (Ionactis alpina), velvet lupine (Lupinus leucophyllus), rose pussytoes (Antennaria rosea), Virginia strawberry (Fragaria viginiana), false dandelion (Agoseris glauca), western yarrow (Achillea millefolium), tufted phlox (Phlox caespitosa), and forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica).

TARGET SPECIES PHENOLOGICAL STATE:
The phenological state of shrubby cinquefoil was not specified, but plants were probably beginning to flower.

SITE DESCRIPTION:
Elevation: 6,900 feet (2,105 m)
Topography: gently sloping to the east

The soils on the burn site were well-drained, with 6 inches (15 cm) of very dark brown loam surface layer, a grayish brown blocky structured clay loam subsoil, and a calcareous loam substratum resting on partially weathered sandstone. 

Average annual precipitation on the site is 16 to 20 inches (400-500 mm), mostly occurring in the form of snow. During the summer, the monthly average maximum temperatures range between 60 and 80 ^oFahrenheit (15-27 ^oC), while the monthly average minimum temperatures range between 26 and 39 ^oFahrenheit (-3-4 ^oC).

FIRE DESCRIPTION:
Maximum temperatures at soil surface: 347 to 401 ^oFahrenheit (175-205 ^oC)
Maximum temperatures at 0.4 inches (1 cm) depth: 149 to 176 ^oFahrenheit (65-80 ^oC)

The prescribed burn was conducted on May 30, 1973, with approximately 140 acres (56 ha) burned. The burn was patchy with some areas completely burned, others partially burned, and still others unburned. Fire consumed most of the available mulch (2.8 g/dm²). Small localized areas within the burn site were "severely burned".

FIRE EFFECTS ON TARGET SPECIES:
Shrubby cinquefoil was reduced significantly (p<0.01) by this burn, decreasing in basal cover from 0.65 dm²/20 dm² to 0.15 dm²/20 dm². Though damaged by fire, shrubby cinquefoil experienced some resprouting.

FIRE MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS:
No entry

3rd CASE STUDY:

• REFERENCE
• 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:
Prescribed burning of shrubby cinquefoil stands in the Little Belt Mountains in Montana

REFERENCE:
Redern, S. P. 1984 [148]

FIRE CASE STUDY AUTHORSHIP:
Anderson, M. 2001

SEASON/SEVERITY CLASSIFICATION:
summer/low severity
fall/moderate severity
spring/high severity

STUDY LOCATION:
The two prescribed burn sites were located in the Wolf Creek drainage in the Little Belt Mountains of central Montana, south of Stanford, Montana.

PREFIRE VEGETATIVE COMMUNITY:
The site was located in the rough fescue (Festuca altaica) phase of the limber pine (Pinus flexilis)/Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis) habitat type. Shrubby cinquefoil (Dasiphora floribunda) was the dominant plant species on the site. Common grasses included Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratense), Idaho fescue, rough fescue, and timber oatgrass (Danthonia intermedia). Forbs included pussytoes (Antennaria spp.), western yarrow (Achillea millefolium), old man's whiskers (Geum triflorum), and chickweed (Cerastium arvense).

TARGET SPECIES PHENOLOGICAL STATE:
Summer treatment: flowering complete, few flowers remaining, seeds not yet formed
Fall treatment: leaves shed, plants dormant
Spring treatment: buds unbroken, no swelling occurring

SITE DESCRIPTION:
Site 1 has an elevation of 5413 feet (1650 m), 5% slope, and a northwest exposure.  Site 2 has an elevation of 5413 feet (1650 m), 10% slope, and a northeast exposure.

Annual precipitation on both sites is 20.5 inches (520 mm) per year. Soils are a well-drained stony clay loam with a strongly calcareous subsoil and fair to good moisture-holding capacity.

Both sites have been grazed by livestock and were burned approximately 7 years prior to this study.

FIRE DESCRIPTION:
Site 1 had fine fuel loads (grasses) of 700 kg/ha and shrubby cinquefoil fuel loads of 2150 kg/ha.
Site 2 had fine fuel loads of 800 kg/ha and shrubby cinquefoil fuel loads of 2300 kg/ha.

The prescription called for a minimum consumption of 75% of the shrubby cinquefoil to a stub height of 3 to 4.3 inches (8-11 cm). Target flame lengths were 23.6 to 70.9 inches (60-180 cm) and target fireline intensity was 14-240 Kcal/m/second.

The following table lists average burning conditions for each treatment on the 2 sites:

Summer treatment; August 16, 1983: The summer burn was less intense because fuel moistures were high, resulting in flame lengths less than 23.6 inches (60 cm), low rates of spread, and patchy burning.

Fall treatment; October 8, 1983: Though not as intense as desired, the fall burn was more intense than the summer burn and was within the prescription.

Spring treatment; April 16, 1984: Flame lengths in the spring burn reached 59 inches (150 cm). Very dry conditions and the resulting low fine fuel moisture contributed to high fire spreads and good fuel consumption.

FIRE EFFECTS ON TARGET SPECIES:
In response to burning, there was an almost complete lack of shrubby cinquefoil mortality. Essentially all burned plants studied, regardless of the season of burning or the amount of plant consumed by the fire, sprouted from the root crown after burning.

Vigor of shrubby cinquefoil plants was measured as a function of the number, length, and weight of spouts on sampled plants. There was no significant difference (p<0.05) between the two sites for the mean number of sprouts or the mean total length of sprouts. However, there was a significant difference (p<0.05) for the mean total weight of the sprouts between sites. Site 2, with its northeast aspect, was a slightly moister and therefore more productive site than site 1. The control plots (no treatment) had significantly lower (p<0.05) vigor than the treated plots, but there was no significant difference in the vigor measurements between treatments.  Plants in the control did not actively resprout, while plants in the burned plots resprouted with equal vigor regardless of the season of burning. A nonsignificant trend suggested that the summer-treated plants were the least vigorous of the treated plants.

FIRE MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS:
Vigor of resprouting shrubby cinquefoil following burning treatments indicates it is a species suited to surviving fire. Due to this response, burning may not be a viable practice for the control of shrubby cinquefoil.

Related categories for SPECIES: Dasiphora floribunda | Shrubby Cinquefoil