 Photo Story
Wildfire Rehabilitation in Utah
INTRODUCTION
 Land administered by BLM in Utah is generally arid, receiving 8-12
inches of precipitation per year. Acres of BLM land burned by wildfire has increased from
4,549 acres in 1991, to 308,457 acres in 1996. This is due in part to the invasion of
introduced winter annuals such as cheatgrass, and past fire suppression activities.
Cheatgrass not only changes the fire frequency of a site, but also the fire volatility,
intensity, and extent of the area likely to burn in the future.
(Click on Photos for larger image)
PURPOSE &
OBJECTIVE
 The purpose of the Emergency Fire Rehabilitation program is to:
Protect life, property, soil, water, and/or
vegetation resources.
Prevent unacceptable on-site and off-site
damage to the watershed (erosion control).
Reduce the invasion and establishment of
undesirable or invasive species of vegetation.
Facilitate meeting Land Use Plan objectives.
Rehabilitation of burned lands was
accomplished with various methods, as described. Results of these methods were then
compared.
METHODS &
RESULTS
In all seeding methods, mixtures of grasses,
forbs, and shrubs that are adapted to the site were used. Exception: On some sites with
State-listed noxious weeds, a mixture of native and introduced grasses adapted to the site
was used. Forbs and shrubs will be seeded after the noxious weed problem is controlled.
Natural
Revegetation--No Seeding (control area)
Natural revegetation is shown on the left side
of the photo.. Cheatgrass (purple color) has taken over the site, while the seeded area on
the right shows little or no cheatgrass invasion.
Seed by
Aerial Application Only (without covering the seed)
 This photo shows the Little Sahara EFR (1996), where the fire burned
into the Death Creek EFR seeding (1995). The same amount of seed was flown on both areas.
The difference is the seed was not covered in the Little Sahara fire (foreground), and the
seed was covered by chaining in the Death Creek fire (background).
 In the North Twin EFR (1996), the archaeology site shown was aerial
seeded. To prevent disturbance to the site, the seed was not covered with topsoil by
mechanical means. Wind erosion has removed the seed and topsoil causing pedestaling and
exposing the plant roots.
Seed by
Aerial Application, Followed by Chaining To Cover the Seed
 Photo on North Twin EFR shows the area seeded and chained (foreground). In
1996, some areas suitable for drilling seed were aerial seeded instead because of the vast
acreage needing immediate treatment. Twice as many acres could be covered per day, by
aerial seeding, followed by chaining.
To the far right center of the photo is an
archaeological site that was seeded, but not chained to cover the seed. Cheatgrass
(reddish color) quickly invaded the site, preventing the perennial grasses from
establishing.
This photo shows a dense pinyon-juniper site that was
aerial seeded followed by chaining (1995). Burned trees are still visible, but green
vegetation is returning to protect the watershed.
Drill Seeding
 Overview shows private land in the foreground (not seeded), BLM land that was
drill seeded (green strip). Blowing soil (wind erosion) is from private land that was not
treated and an area that was aerial seeded but not covered.
CONCLUSIONS
Natural
Revegetation
In higher elevations (above 6000 ft.) where
sufficient moisture and a diverse population of perennial vegetation exists, reseeding is
often not needed, especially on the north- and east-facing slopes. Response of native
vegetation was not as good on south- and west-facing slopes, which are typically drier.
Below 6000 ft. elevation, and over much of
Utah’s arid environment, cheatgrass and other weedy species readily invade the burned
areas. The dominance of cheatgrass shortens the fire-cycle, and increases the volatility,
intensity, and extent of the fire. Also, because cheatgrass does not catch and hold snow
like a diverse perennial stand of vegetation, the site becomes drier (desertification). On
sites dominated by cheatgrass, the normal revegetative process is interrupted resulting in
loss of native perennial species, and lack of diversity.
Aerial
seeding, without covering the seed
This method did not result in adequate perennial
vegetation to protect the watershed. Invasive introduced weeds such as cheatgrass and
State-listed noxious weeds readily invaded the sites. In areas with highly-erosive soils,
wind and water erosion is evident.
Aerial
seeding followed by chaining to cover the seed
When the seed was covered, this proved to be a very
effective method to establish perennial vegetation that will protect the site from wind
and water erosion. These seedings helped establish and maintain species diversity, and
inhibit the spread of cheatgrass and other weedy species.
Aerial seeding followed by one-time chaining
to cover the seed proved to be a practical method to use when large acreage needs to be
treated (over 300,000 acres of BLM land burned in 1996). With this method, 250 acres could
be treated per day, as compared to drilling the seed at 100 acres per day.
Drill Seeding
Areas that were seeded by drilling had the
highest germination response. But drilling could only be used on level areas free from
obstacles. Therefore, drilling wasn’t possible in pinyon-juniper sites, rocky
outcrops, areas with numerous washes or channels, and on slopes.
Additional
Benefits of Seeding
Where wildfire burned into old seedings,
it’s advance was slowed or stopped in that direction, in spite of strong winds. The
seedings, which contain fire-resistant and fire-tolerant species of vegetation, remain
green longer into the season. There are numerous examples where old seedings make natural
fire-breaks, thereby helping to contain the wildfire.
More Photos
Introduction
/ Fire Rehab Primer / Photo Story
/ Myths vs Facts / RAC Recommendations
Subgroup Report / State Director's
Policy / News Releases / Fire
Rehab Handbook
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