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Published Online January 5, 2006
Science DOI: 10.1126/science.1122855

Brevia

Submitted on November 21, 2005
Accepted on December 21, 2005

Post-Wildfire Logging Hinders Regeneration and Increases Fire Risk

D. C. Donato 1*, J. B. Fontaine 2, J. L. Campbell 1, W. D. Robinson 1, J. B. Kauffman 3, B. E. Law 1

1 Department of Forest Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.
2 Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.
3 Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, 60 Nowelo Street, Hilo, HI 96720, USA.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
D. C. Donato , E-mail: dan.donato{at}oregonstate.edu

We present data from a study of early conifer regeneration and fuel loads after the 2002 Biscuit Fire, Oregon, USA, with and without postfire logging. Natural conifer regeneration was abun-dant after the high-severity fire. Postfire logging reduced median regeneration density by 71%, significantly increased downed woody fuels, and thus increased short-term fire risk. Additional reduction of fuels is necessary for effective mitigation of fire risk. Postfire logging can be counterproductive to the goals of forest regeneration and fuel reduction.


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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)