FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Abies amabilis | Pacific Silver Fir 



IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT : 
Pacific silver fir has a low fire tolerance and is usually killed by any
forest fire [6,50,69].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT : 
NO-ENTRY


PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE : 
Pacific silver fir germinates on exposed mineral soils, but its seed
often travels only a short distance onto the site [56].  Burned soils
have radical temperature fluctuations, which may prevent Pacific silver
fir from establishing on burned sites.  One year after the 1978 Hoh fire
in the Olyumpic Mountains, Pacific silver fir seedlings were found at a
great concentration, but they did not appear as healthy as other
seedlings [2].  Slash burning increases the time for Pacific silver fir
to reach 60 percent stocking rate [23].


DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE : 
NO-ENTRY


FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Slash burning and stump removal decrease site preparation cost [56] but
have considerable repercussions.  Slash burning has negative effects on
higher elevation ecosystems because of their low productivity and the
difficulty of replanting [57].  It also destroys advance regeneration
and delays natural regeneration [23].  Ruth [57] states, "it is good
insurance" to protect advance regeneration in these higher elevation
stands.  These areas have a short burning season.

Miller and Bigley [46] found that slash burning decreases the number of
conifers, including Pacific silver fir.  Logging of Pacific silver fir
leaves a high residue volume which can become a high fire hazard.  Some
ways to reduce slash loadings and fire hazard are to cut lower volume or
younger stands, and use more volume or yard cull logs to encourage
utilization (which is currently practiced on federal lands).  These
practices may reduce the effects of slash burning on site productivity
and stand development [46].  

Related categories for Species: Abies amabilis | Pacific Silver Fir