Fire Prevention As Part Of A Forest Management Plan

26 January 2022
 Categories: Business, Blog

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An abundance of vegetation can trigger a fire to erupt in a forest. Dead or dying trees serve no beneficial purpose and could be crowding healthier trees. One part of forest management that is essential in preventing fires is determining how to thin out an overgrown forest.

Triggers

A forest management team will assess trees, plants, and other organic materials that are currently located in a forest. They will identify problematic areas and provide reasoning as to why a particular tree or plant is eligible for removal. This process may involve pointing out signs of distress or damage that are indicative of a tree or plant's poor health. A forest ranger or overseer can use tape to mark the vegetation that will ultimately be eliminated in the forest.

A management team may request the history of the forest, including past incidences that resulted in uncontrolled forest fires. The location of where a fire erupted and the weather patterns or practices that were directly tied to each event may be noted. An analysis will be conducted that could result in a reduced likelihood of a fire igniting in the future.

Transplants, Burning, And Mulching

Occasionally, trees will grow close together and prevent some of the other saplings from receiving adequate sunlight or water. Trees do not necessarily need to be in poor health to be deemed problematic. If a forestry team determines that trees aren't spaced out adequately, they may recommend that a forest ranger or overseer considers transplanting some of the trees. The areas where sickly or dead trees are originally located may become prime locations for some of the trees that need to be transplanted.

Thinning a forest may involve cutting down unhealthy trees and having them hauled away or burning trees. Although the thought of another fire issue may be concerning, a forestry management team will use a controlled burning process. This process will take place in an area where the burning items will not be a threat to any of the remaining trees and plants.

The burning process will also not pose a risk to people or animals who are within the vicinity of a controlled fire. If any healthy items cannot be salvaged, but do not need to be disposed of, a management team may recommend that the items undergo a mulching process. Mulch that is made out of organic materials can be used to line pathways, entrance points, and other areas within a forest.

Contact forestry management contractors in your area to learn more.