Documenting Fire History in a British Columbia Ecological Reserve

Abstract

Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) ecosystems in British Columbia have high concentrations of biodiversity and species at risk, and numerous studies suggest frequent, low-intensity fire was a traditional disturbance pattern in this ecosystem type. Fire history was analyzed in the Trout Creek Ecological Reserve near Summerland, BC, a 75 ha parcel in the PPxh1 biogeoclimatic variant.The area’s fire history spans from 1715 to 1952, with a mean area fire interval of 18 years. Fire management options are reviewed.