The Great Fires

Indian Burningand Catastrophic Forest Fire Patterns of

the Oregon Coast Range, 1491-1951

July 8, 2003

PhD DefenseBob Zybach

Oregon Coast Range PAC (Province Advisory Council)Corvallis, OR, April 15, 2004 10:30 AM

Bob ZybachForest Fire History & Land Use Ecologist: Five Rivers Land Management Study

OSU Forest Sciences Dept./PNW Research Station

Hypothesis

Current evidence suggests patterns of late-15th to mid-19th century Indian burning practices had a direct effect on subsequent patterns of Oregon Coast Range catastrophic forest fires that occurred from 1849 to 1951.

In particular, Indian fires may have influenced the cause, timing, severity, location, and boundaries of subsequent wildfires.

Sources of Information

Historical Drawings & Photographs

Literature Review

Living Memory and Oral Traditions

AerialPhotograph

s

Historical Maps

1895-96 USGS Coos Bay 30 min Quadrangle Map• Bottomland Prairies• 1868 Coos Fire

•1770 Millicoma Fire•Wagon Roads and Trails

GISC

O

N

V

E

R

S

I

O

N

Persistent Vegetation Patterns

Oregon Coast Range Named Rivers Elevations

Oregon CoastRange Fuels

*Spruce/hemlock

*Douglas-fir

*Oak grasslands

Coast Range Seasonal Fuel Desiccation, 1961-1991

• Killing Frosts• North (Nov. 3-Mar. 3)

• East (Nov. 2-Apr. 14)

• West (Nov. 8-Apr. 6)

• South (Nov. 10-Apr.5)

• Summer Droughts• North (May-Sep.)

• East (Apr.-Oct.)

• West (May-Sep.)

• South (Apr.-Oct.)

Types of Indian Burning Practices

OREGON COAST RANGE

Seasonal Burning Patterns, ca. 1600-1848

Mo. Season Weather Tem perature Plant Fuels Burnin gJ an. Win ter Wet Freezing Dormant FirewoodFeb. Win ter Wet Freezing Dormant PatchesMar. Spring Wet Freezing Budburst PatchesApr. Spring Mixed Cool New Growth PatchesMay Tr ansition Mixed Warming Growing ProjectsJ un. Summer Dry Warm Growing FirewoodJ ul. Summer Dry Warmest Growing FirewoodAug. Late Summer Dry Warmest Dormant BroadcastSep. Late Summer Dry Warm Dormant BroadcastOct. Tr ansition Mixed Cooling Fall Growth PatchesNov. Fall Wet Freezing Dormant FirewoodDec. Fall Wet Freezing Dormant Firewood

WillametteValley, Oregon

1845

1885

Soap CreekValley,Oregon

1914

1989

The Great Fires

Millicoma, ca. 1775

Yaquina, ca. 1849

Nestucca, ca. 1853

Coos, 1868

Tillamook, 1933

“Indian Trail [from Willamette Valley] to Tidewater”“Alseya Valley” General Land Office survey map, 1856

Alsea Valley North Fork Prairie Trail Network,

1775-2003

Comparison of Oregon Coast RangeIndian Burning & Catastrophic Forest Fire Patterns

The Future

ProposalSpatial and temporal landscape patterns of Indian-type burning and land use should be reintroduced into the Oregon Coast Range

(at least on an experimental basis)at a subbasin or greater scale.

Federal & State

Forest Land Ownership Oregon Coast

Range

2004

CULTURAL LANDSCAPE PATTERNS

OF THE

OREGON COAST RANGE

ca. 1650 to 1826

Rationale

1) Protection of human communities, transportation systems, and other developments from wildfire and unmanaged smoke;

2) Stable and maintained habitats favorable to native plants and animals, including esthetic, game, and ESA-listed species;

3) Stable, efficient, and protected environment for the sustainable growth of timber, food, and grass crops;

4) New vegetation patterns and trained local work crews will result in more efficient and effective wildfire management

strategies;

5) Implementation of this proposal would result in year-around work opportunities and improved economies in rural

communities;

Others: Respect for past cultures; new business opportunities; increased income to schools and roads; increased recreational and

community event opportunities, esthetics.