“Prescribed fire shrub consumption in a Sierra Nevada mixed-conifer forest

Live shrubs in forest understories pose a challenge for mitigating wildfire risk with prescribed fire. Factors driving shrub consumption fires are variable and difficult to explain. This study investigated spatial patterns drivers of Sierra Nevada mixed-conifer through analysis high-resolution imagery taken before after We applied spatially explicit, generalized additive model assess tree cover coarse woody material as potential consumption. Shrub two experimental stands prior burning was 38% 59% 36% 45% one-year post-burn. In both patch density increased, while area-weighted mean size largest index decreased. Increased local percent associated increased These findings provide information fire managers help better anticipate patchiness outcomes under similar conditions.