Using Prescribed Fire as a Management Strategy in the Turnbull NWR

Management strategies developed for Turnbull NWR call for the integration of a variety of techniques to restore natural stand conditions, reduce hazard fuels and improve wildlife habitat. These strategies include various types of thinning followed by the application of prescribed fire. On April 14, 2015 the NW Fire Science Consortium sponsored a technical field tour to the refuge led by Mike Rule, refuge wildlife biologist, and Doug Frederick, Assistant Fire Management Officer. The tour included five stops; starting at the Headquarters for an overview of the refuge and discussion on management strategies. Stop 1: Untreated forest Stop 2: Fall Rx burn with high pine mortality and subsequent hardwood re-establishment Stop 3: Recent fall Rx burn (<2 years) Stop 4: Commercial thin with Rx Burn–spring vs. fall burning Stop 5: Recent commerical thinning with a clumping prescription with Rx burn