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The national database of state and local wildfire hazard mitigation programs
serves as a clearinghouse of information about nonfederal policies and
programs that seek to reduce the risk of loss of life and property through
the reduction of hazardous fuels on private lands. If
you would like to submit a program to the national wildfire programs database,
please complete the following form (MS
Word).
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Title: |
Wisconsin Fuel Reduction Projects
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Type: |
Fuelbreaks
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Jurisdiction: |
State
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State: |
Wisconsin
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Program Description: |
Barnes Fuel Breaks (Bayfield County Forest)
The Barnes area is known for its sand plains and jack pine barrens communities, historically thought to be fire-dependent. Prescribed burns have proven to be an excellent method of reintroducing fire into these ecosystems for wildlife purposes and forest fire control measures. Approximately 500 acres are planned for burning each year, with each unit being burned on a 3 to 7 year rotation. DNR Forestry and Wildlife personnel recognized the need and benefits of working together on a project such as this. We pool our funding sources, staff and equipment, time, and expertise to accomplish each others goals through one project.
Case Study for Community Preparedness
To learn more about Barnes and the Community Preparedness for Wildfire Case Study, click on this hyperlink, Barnes-Drummond and Northwestern Wisconsin
Placement of Fuel Breaks
Fuel breaks are in locations where fuels will support significant fire behavior and spread, in conjunction with developed areas. The Barnes Fuel Breaks were designed to provide a break in the conifer monotype, primarily between the developed areas in the Town of Barnes and Iron River and the surrounding developed areas. The north and south portions of the fuel breaks offer two benefits: as connecting corridors for wildlife purposes and as an opportunity to tactically use the breaks for a fire coming from the west or southwest (prevailing winds during spring fire season). The acreage and design of the fuel breaks is important to forest fire control, but more of an issue to the needs raised by DNR Wildlife Staff.
Contact Information
For more information, contact Don Luebbe, WDNR Forester Ranger, at 715-795-2565 or via email: [email protected].
Brule River State Forest: Hail Damage and Mitigation of Fire Danger
Background
On August 14, 2000, a very large thunderstorm swept across the southern portion of the Brule River State Forest. This thunderstorm brought with it hail in excess of 2 inches in diameter driven by high winds. The hail caused severe damage to forest stands resulting in much tree mortality. Jack pine and aspen mortality was very common and red pine damage was severe. It was soon evident that a very high fire danger situation was developing. This damaged area was approximately 5 miles to the south of housing developments near Lake Minnuesing and Lake Nebagamon.
Mitigation Actions
In order to mitigate the potential fire danger within the area, a combination of timber sales, mechanical treatments, and prescribed burns were completed during 2001 and 2002 to reduce the fuel loading in this area. A total of 1,820 acres were treated in some way to reduce fuel loads. This includes 1,200 acres of pine and about 600 acres of hardwood stands. Salvage timber harvests were completed on about 1,300 acres with mechanical treatments (roller chopping/anchor chaining) being done to reduce slash loads on half of that acreage following the sales. Prescribed burns were completed on 50 acres of light fuels to reduce ignition components adjacent to heavy slash fuels. Mechanical treatments (roller chopping/anchor chaining) were completed on approximately 450 acres of unmerchantable material to eliminate hazardous fuels.
Contact Information
For more information, contact Dave Schulz, WDNR Forester, at 715-372-5678 or via email: [email protected].
Carps Creek and Person Lake Hazard Fuel Mitigation
Carps Creek and Person Lake are highly recreated public lands. The area is mainly forested by conifer and scrub oak timber type of all ages and adjoins other lands (private and county) that have thousands of acres of the same timber type in a WUI setting. These two 40-acre blocks are on a three-year prescribed burning cycle to reduce the fuel loading of woody encroachment and grassy fuels. Prescribed burning every three years will maintain a defensible working space for firefighters while potentially slowing a fast moving fire. The project is accomplished by utilizing personnel and equipment from the WDNR.
Douglas County Wildlife Area
A 25-acre area within the Douglas County Wildlife Area was roller chopped to act as a fuel break and wildlife opening. The area was 50% stocked with 8 to 10 feet high jack pine with an understory of tall grass. The area is adjacent to private property that is fully stocked with mature jack pine. The area is planned to be maintained as a small fuel break and opening for wildlife habitat.
Contact Information
For more information, contact Don Luebbe, WDNR Forester Ranger, at 715-795-2565 or via email: [email protected].
Marinette County Fuelbreak Project
The Marinette County Forestry Department was awarded $9,490 to create and maintain approximately 75 miles of fuelbreaks around county forest plantations throughout the county in high hazard areas. The project involved both the maintenance of existing disced breaks and the installation of new fuelbreaks in areas where the plantations were adjacent to either town roads, county forest roads or county highways. A late spring snow and ice storm in 2002 resulted in 50% of existing breaks being covered with bent over or broken trees and brush rendering many of the breaks ineffective. With project funds the Marinette County Forestry Department utilized existing staff and equipment to clear these breaks by dozing, and chain sawing to restore access, and by discing to provide a mineral soil firebreak. Funds also allowed for the creation of new fuelbreaks in several areas that had previously had no protection.
Contact Information
Mike Folgert, WDNR Area Forestry Leader, 715-582-5016, email: [email protected].
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