The Wildfire Site is located on the Coconino National Forest approximately 32 km from the control and restoration sites and within the perimeter of the Horseshoe-Hochderffer fire complex that burned 10,500 ha of ponderosa pine forest in 1996. Prior to the fire the stand had a tree density of 343 ha-1, tree basal area of 31 m2 ha-1, and leaf area index of 2.4, based on measurements of adjacent unburned stands.

The fire killed all trees within major portions of the burned area. Natural regeneration of trees has not occurred in the tower footprint in the 10 years since the fire. Slow regeneration is common in southwestern ponderosa pine forests after severe fire. Leaf area index averaged 0.6 in 2006 and is comprised entirely of herbaceous plants and a few shrubs. All trees in the tower footprint killed by the fire are present as standing snags or downed logs; salvage logging did not occur after the fire. Coarse woody debris averaged 16.0 Mg ha-1 in 2006.

See Site Characteristics for more information.

Last Updated ( Thursday, 10 July 2008 )