Fire refugia in forest ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest, USA: Science and applications for conservation, adaptation, and stewardship

Concepts and models of fire refugia are increasingly important components of forest management and adaptation discussions in the context of wildland fire, forest and habitat conservation, and global change. Recent stand-replacing fires in mature and old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest (PNW) region of the western United States have increased land manager and scientific interest in fire refugia that can provide important ecosystem services. Here we provide an overview of fire refugia concepts and products being actively developed and applied in forests of the PNW (Washington, Oregon, California), characterize key distinctions among fire refugia in different biophysical settings, present three case studies to illustrate applications, and briefly describe future directions for these concepts in scientist-practitioner partnerships. By increasing awareness of fire refugia concepts, datasets, and decision support tools, we aim to bolster the adaptive capacity of practitioners, managers, and partners invested in ecosystem management, while strengthening the long-horizon collaborations necessary for applied science and conservation.