Understand wildfire hazards in Michigan
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EmailThe type of forest most susceptible to wild fire in is jack pine, where the majority of major Michigan fires have occurred over the past few decades.
Recent large wildfires over the Memorial Day weekend in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan demonstrate that parts of our well-forested Lake States remains vulnerable. Human activities increase the chances of igniting wildfires, although the Duck Lake and Seney Fires in the eastern Upper Peninsula were of lightning origin.
As human populations encroach upon natural woodlands, the risk of property loss increases. So does the difficulty in fighting these fires. Lack of forest management and build-up of dead woody material add to conditions that lead to more severe fires.
The worst case scenario, perhaps, is a large expanse of mature jack pine within which houses, cottages, and camps are scattered. Should the fire get into the crowns of these forests, the force is nearly unstoppable by human efforts. At that point, the weather has to change before firefighters can become effective.
This is the case with the Duck Lake wildfire, which grew to consume well over 20,000 acres (more than 30 square miles) by the first of June. Property damage has been significant – Michigan has not seen a larger fire since 1976.
Most of the major wildfires over the past few decades have been in jack pine forests.
During the years of low fire danger, the tendency to become complacent grows. However, this is the time to reduce the risk of fire and to reduce the risk of property damage should a fire occur.
Employing the concepts of the Firewise Program will help protect property. Michigan State University maintains a program and information base for Michigan citizens. Cutting back vegetation, removing hazards and building modifications will help protect property in case of wildfire. The basic idea is to create a more defensible space.
Forest management can be used to reduce the risk of wildland fire and minimize its spread when a fire erupts. Fire breaks, age class differentiation, thinning and forest type diversification are some of the tools available. Each of these tools has non-fire protection benefits as well.
Wildfire has been a natural element of forest ecosystems since the glaciers retreated from the Great Lakes region. Jack pine and red pine are classic examples of habitats adapted to, and driven by, wildfire. As humans build into these landscapes, they assume a degree of risk, whether they know it or not. The extensive fires of natural history are no longer a viable option, although the need for those ecological benefits in these forested systems remains.
Prescribed fire is one tool to manage fire-adapted ecological systems. While not possible everywhere, and sometimes controversial, it’s a viable forestry technique. Forest management that includes clear-cutting and thinning can mimic wildfire effects but these techniques are at the discretion of the landowners.
A landscape occupied largely by single-age jack pine is at high risk of catastrophic fire, especially as the jack pine matures and fuel loads build. Forest management can parse the landscape into blocks of different aged jack pine. Reducing the risk and potential impacts of a crown fire is essential. Should a fire escape into the crowns of mature jack pine, the fire will drop to the ground in younger age classes. Once on the ground, fire-fighting efforts are possible.
Mature jack pine also becomes a target for jack pine budworm, which can damage and kill large areas of pine forest. The dead, dry material becomes ripe for wildfire. These are all natural forest dynamics that foresters work with to modify and reduce fire risk.
Of course, human behavior to avoid wildfire is critical as well, especially during periods of high risk. Campfires, sparks from ATVs and other equipment, smoking, fireworks and other human-origin ignition sources cause most of the wildfires across the Lake States.
Wildfire will always be a part of forests as long as forests exist. However, through forest management and careful development, the risks can be minimized. Assuming an inactive approach to forest ecology and development carries negative consequences sooner or later.
For more helpful information, visit these sites:
U.P. Tree Identification
Michigan Forests Forever
Michigan Forest Pathways
Michigan Society of American Foresters
MSU Department of Forestry Publications