Establish fuelbreaks to slow the spread of catastrophic fire

EASTERN:
Projected increases in fire occurrence as a result of climate change are expected to increase demand on fire-fighting resources and may force prioritization of fire suppression efforts to targeted areas (Millar et al. 2007, Spittlehouse and Stewart 2003). Managers may seek to reduce the spread or intensity of fire by using a fuelbreak, which is a physical barrier such as a road, bulldozer line, or water body. Establishing fuelbreaks can be complementary with actions to reduce the fuel load of the forest itself (Agee et al. 2000). Fuelbreaks can be created to lessen fire spread and intensity in specific areas, such as the wildland-urban interface, but also have the potential to increase fragmentation. (1)

WESTERN:
Continued escalations in fire occurrence will increase demand on fire-fighting resources and may force prioritization of fire suppression efforts to targeted areas (Westerling 2016, Halofsky et al. 2020). Managers may seek to reduce the spread or intensity of fire by using a (1) non-vegetated fuelbreak, which is a physical barrier such as a road, bulldozer line, water body; or (2) vegetated fuelbreak, where surface, ladder, and canopy fuel loads have been heavily reduced, resulting in minimal fuel continuity. Establishing fuelbreaks can be complementary with actions to reduce the fuel load of the vegetation across the forest (Approach 3.1; Agee et al. 2000). Fuelbreaks can lessen fire spread and intensity in specific areas of ecological interest or high-risk areas such as the wildland-urban interface. They can also enhance the opportunity for fast, effective, and safe tactical response during wildfire suppression operations. However, fuelbreaks also have the potential for greater habitat fragmentation and increased invasive species spread. Thoughtful site selection and careful methods for creating fuelbreaks (e.g., take advantage of natural fuelbreaks as much as possible) will help minimize negative impacts of fuelbreaks. (2)

Climate change is projected to increase the potential for severe disturbance events, such as wildfire, extreme wind, and ice storms (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [IPCC] 2012, Moritz et al. 2012, Uriarte and Papaik 2007). These disturbances have the ability to alter community composition and structure over large landscapes. Disturbances can interact with other stressors (Papaik and Canham 2006). For example, extreme wind events can cause tree damage and mortality, which increase the risk of pest outbreaks or wildfire (Gandhi et al. 2007, Woodall and Nagel 2007). Even as trends continue to emerge, management will need to adjust appropriately to the changes in natural disturbance dynamics (Heller and Zavaleta 2009).