Vegetation Response to Prescribed Fire in Douglas-Fir Forests, Olympic National Park

Prescribed fire effectively restores the open, fire-adapted structure of Douglas-fir/salal forests in Olympic National Park. A randomized controlled study found that low-intensity surface fires significantly reduced fuel loads and understory density without altering tree canopy basal area or sapling density. While most understory species showed delayed recovery, salal—known for resprouting—recovered to at least 50% of pre-fire cover within three years. These findings validate the use of prescribed fire as a management tool to maintain forest health in historically fire-prone ecosystems, supporting a balanced approach that integrates fire suppression and active management.

Fonda, R. W., & Binney, E. P. (2011). Vegetation Response to Prescribed Fire in Douglas-Fir Forests, Olympic National Park. Northwest Science, 85(1), 30–40. https://doi.org/10.3955/046.085.0103