Bark Beetle-Induced Changes to Crown Fuel Flammability and Crown Fire Potential

............................................................................................... 4 Introduction .......................................................................................... 5 Bark Beetle Effects on Forest Structure, Composition and Fuel Bed Characteristics ........................................................ 10 Crown Fire Initiation and Spread ....................................................... 17 Challenges in Modeling Crown Fire Behavior in Bark Beetle-Affected Forests ........................................................ 21 Shortand Long-Term Implications for Fire Suppression ................. 28 Bark Beetles, Fires, and Forest Health............................................... 30 References .......................................................................................... 32 3. MOUNTAIN PINE BEETLE ATTACK ALTERS THE CHEMISTRY AND FLAMMABILITY OF LODGEPOLE PINE FOLIAGE.............. 44 Abstract .............................................................................................. 44 Introduction ........................................................................................ 45 Methods.............................................................................................. 48 Results ................................................................................................ 58 Discussion .......................................................................................... 73 viii Conclusion ......................................................................................... 76 References .......................................................................................... 78 4. SPRUCE BEETLE-INDUCED CHANGES TO ENGELMANN SPRUCE FOLIAGE FLAMMABILITY ................................................................ 84 Abstract .............................................................................................. 84 Introduction ........................................................................................ 85 Methods.............................................................................................. 88 Results ................................................................................................ 96 Discussion ........................................................................................ 106 Conclusion ....................................................................................... 113 Literature Cited ................................................................................ 113 5. FOLIAR MOISTURE CONTENT VARIATIONS IN LODGEPOLE PINE OVER THE DIURNAL CYCLE DURING THE RED STAGE OF MOUNTAIN PINE BEETLE ATTACK .............................................. 120 Abstract ............................................................................................ 120 Introduction ...................................................................................... 121 Material and Methods ...................................................................... 122 Results .............................................................................................. 126 Discussion and Conclusions ............................................................ 130 References ........................................................................................ 132 6. MODELS TO PREDICT THE MOISTURE CONTENT OF LODGEPOLE PINE FOLIAGE DURING THE RED STAGE OF MOUNTAIN PINE BEETLE ATTACK .............................................. 136 Abstract ............................................................................................ 136 Introduction ...................................................................................... 137 Description of Models...................................................................... 139 Methods............................................................................................ 142 Results .............................................................................................. 146 Discussion and Conclusions ............................................................ 152 Literature Cited ................................................................................ 154 7. CROWN FIRE POTENTIAL IN LODGEPOLE PINE FORESTS DURING THE RED STAGE OF MOUNTAIN PINE BEETLE ATTACK .............................................................................................. 157 Abstract ............................................................................................ 157 Introduction ...................................................................................... 158 MPB Effects on Surface Fuels ......................................................... 161 MPB Effects on Crown and Canopy Fuel Properties ...................... 163 Crown Fire Initiation in Recently Attacked Lodgepole Pine ix Forests ......................................................................................... 168 Crown Fire Spread in Recently Attacked Lodgepole Pine Forests ......................................................................................... 175 Field Observations of Fire Behavior ................................................ 182 Conclusion ....................................................................................... 189 References ........................................................................................ 191 8. WILDFIRE’S RESISTANCE TO CONTROL IN MOUNTAIN PINE BEETLE-ATTACKED LODGEPOLE PINE FORESTS .................... 200 Abstract ............................................................................................ 200 Introduction ...................................................................................... 201 Broadening the Definition of “Resistance to Control” .................... 205 Fire Behavior Characteristics ........................................................... 206 Fire Suppression Operations ............................................................ 213 Firefighter Safety Considerations .................................................... 216 Implications for Fire Research and Fire Management ..................... 219 Conclusions ...................................................................................... 222 References ........................................................................................ 222 9. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS ................................................... 230 Introduction ...................................................................................... 230 Seasonal Changes in Moisture Content, Chemistry, and Flammability of Lodgepole Pine and Engelmann Spruce Foliage .................... 232 Diurnal Changes in Lodgepole Pine Foliar Moisture Content......... 234 Crown Fire Potential in Lodgepole Pine Forests ............................. 235 Conclusions ...................................................................................... 236 References ........................................................................................ 237 APPENDICES .............................................................................................................. 239 CURRICULUM VITAE ............................................................................................... 249