Indicator 8. Fire regime or wildfire

1. Ukraine Polyana Workshop July 2018
Michael D. Owen, Aquatic Ecologist, Monongahela National Forest, USDA Forest Service
Indicator 8: Fire Regime or Wildfire

2. Indicator 8: Fire Regime or Wildfire
WATERSHED CONDITION INDICATORS
(12 Indicator Model)
5. RIPARIAN VEGETATION
1. Vegetation Condition
AQUATIC
PHYSICAL
(Weight = 30%)
12. FOREST HEALTH
1. Insects and Disease
2. Ozone
11. TERRESTRIAL
INVASIVE SPECIES
1. Extent & Rate of Spread
AQUATIC
BIOLOGICAL
(Weight = 30%)
TERRESTRIAL
PHYSICAL
(Weight = 30%)
TERRESTRIAL
BIOLOGICAL
(Weight = 10%)
4. AQUATIC BIOTA
1. Life Form Presence
2. Native Species
3. Exotic and/or Invasive
Species
6. ROADS & TRAILS
1. Open Road Density
2. Road Maintenance
3. Proximity to Water
4. Mass Wasting
9. FOREST COVER
1. Loss of Forest Cover
7. SOILS
1. Soil Productivity
2. Soil Erosion
3. Soil Contamination
1. WATER QUALITY
1. Impaired Waters
(303d Listed)
2. Water Quality Problems
(Not Listed)
2. WATER QUANTITY
1. Flow Characteristics
10. RANGELAND
VEGETATION
1. Vegetation Condition
8. FIRE REGIME or
WILDFIRE
1. Fire Condition Class
OR
2. Wildfire Effects
3. AQUATIC HABITAT
1. Habitat Fragmentation
2. Large Woody Debris
3. Channel Shape and
Function
Purpose:
To address the potential for
altered hydrologic and
sediment regimes because of
departures from historical
ranges of variability in
vegetation, fuel composition,
fire frequency, fire severity, and
fire pattern.
Rationale:
Fire is an agent of disturbance
that can alter vegetation and
soil properties and result in
changed hydrologic and
geomorphic processes.

3. Indicator 8: Fire Regime or Wildfire
Attributes:
8.1 Fire Regime Condition Class (FRCC)
>>> OR <<<
8.2 Wildfire Effects
Additional Guidance:
• The Fire Regime Condition Class or Wildfire Condition Indicator is
unique in that it is an either/or proposition in which either Fire
Regime Condition Class or Wildfire Effects is rated.
• Fire Regime Condition Class: While the use of national FRCC map
products is encouraged, Forests may refine FRCC as appropriate to
fit their local situations

4. Indicator 8: Fire Regime or Wildfire
Condition Rating Functioning Properly (1) Functioning at Risk (2) Impaired Function (3)
Indicator 8 Fire
Regime or
Wildfire
Low likelihood of losing
defining ecosystem
components because of the
presence or absence of fire.
Moderate likelihood of losing
defining ecosystem
components because of the
presence or absence of fire.
High likelihood of losing
defining ecosystem
components because of the
presence or absence of fire.
8.1 Fire Regime
Condition Class
(FRCC)
FRCC 1: A predominate
percentage of the
watershed is within the
natural (historical) range of
variability (“reference fire
regime”) for vegetation,
fuels, and fire
characteristics.
FRCC 2: A predominate
percentage of the watershed
has a moderate departure
from the reference fire
regime for vegetation, fuels,
and fire characteristics.
FRCC 3: A predominate
percentage of the watershed
has a high departure from the
reference fire regime for
vegetation, fuels, and fire
characteristics.
8.2 Wildfire
Effects
Effects to soil and ground
cover conditions following a
significant wildfire are
expected to recover within
1 to 2 years.
Effects to soil and ground
cover conditions following a
significant wildfire are
expected to persist for 2 to 5
years.
A significant wildfire would
cause considerable post-fire
runoff, erosion, and flooding
threats to watershed condition
integrity for more than 5
years.
Rule Sets for Ratings

5. Indicator 8: Fire Regime or Wildfire
Attribute 8.1 - Fire Regime Condition Class (FRCC)
• The potential for watershed
impacts generally increases as the
departure from natural conditions
increases for vegetation, fuels,
and fires
• This attribute is never rated when
the attribute for “Wildfire Effects”
is rated
• Information was available from a
Nationally derived FRCC
• The Monongahela National Forest
used a locally derived FRCC data
(Thomas-Van Gundy
and Nowacki 2013)

6. Indicator 8: Fire Regime or Wildfire
Attribute 8.2 - Wildfire Effects
• The potential for watershed impacts
increases as the severity of wildfire
effects on soil and vegetation
increases
• This is never rated for a watershed
when the attribute for “Fire Regime
Condition Class” is rated
• This must be rated when more than
50 percent of a watershed is being
affected by a significant wildfire
• This may be rated when less than
50% of a watershed is being affected
by a significant wildfire

7. Indicator 8: Fire Regime or Wildfire
Condition Rating Functioning Properly (1) Functioning at Risk (2) Impaired Function (3)
Indicator 8 Fire
Regime or
Wildfire
Low likelihood of losing
defining ecosystem
components because of the
presence or absence of fire.
Moderate likelihood of losing
defining ecosystem
components because of the
presence or absence of fire.
High likelihood of losing
defining ecosystem
components because of the
presence or absence of fire.
8.1 Fire Regime
Condition Class
(FRCC)
FRCC 1: A predominate
percentage of the
watershed is within the
natural (historical) range of
variability (“reference fire
regime”) for vegetation,
fuels, and fire
characteristics.
FRCC 2: A predominate
percentage of the watershed
has a moderate departure
from the reference fire
regime for vegetation, fuels,
and fire characteristics.
FRCC 3: A predominate
percentage of the watershed
has a high departure from the
reference fire regime for
vegetation, fuels, and fire
characteristics.
8.2 Wildfire
Effects
Effects to soil and ground
cover conditions following a
significant wildfire are
expected to recover within
1 to 2 years.
Effects to soil and ground
cover conditions following a
significant wildfire are
expected to persist for 2 to 5
years.
A significant wildfire would
cause considerable post-fire
runoff, erosion, and flooding
threats to watershed condition
integrity for more than 5
years.
Rule Sets for Ratings