Burned trees are an essential part of a healthy forest
Post-fire salvage logging may harm our forests

Wildfire is an essential natural process, which has shaped the forests of western and northern North America for millennia, providing renewal and rejuvenation. However, immediately following a fire, forests are incredibly sensitive and need time to heal naturally. Burned trees play a vital role in forest rejuvenation after a fire, and scientific research has demonstrated that logging of burned trees - often referred to as 'salvage' logging - may hinder these natural processes.

Forests are not destroyed or lifeless following fire. Burned trees play an essential role in a healthy forest ecosystem.

• Standing dead trees and fallen logs-which salvage logging removes-provide critical habitat for species including lynx, marten and fisher.
  
  
• Cavity nesting birds that thrive in post fire forests include pileated and black backed woodpeckers, northern goshawks and boreal owls.
  
  
• Standing dead trees provide shade, stabilize and regulate the water flow on post fire soils.
  
  
• The eventual decay of fire burned trees recycles important nutrients that increase forest productivity.

Most scientists agree that post-fire logging is not beneficial and agree that post-fire logging can severely damage soils, streams, vegetation, and wildlife and has no ecological benefit.

• A recent report authored by eight scientists (Beschta et al. 1995) states that while "there is little reason to believe that post-fire salvage logging has any positive ecological benefits…there is considerable evidence that persistent, significant adverse environmental impacts are likely to result from salvage logging."
  
  
• The U.S. Forest Service (USDA 2000) recently reviewed the results of 21 studies of post fire logging and concluded "we know enough about both logging activity and structural change to recommend caution" in post fire logging.

Post-fire logging does NOT reduce the intensity of future wildfires. The Forest Service claims that post-fire logging projects can reduce the intensity of future fires by removing fuels; however, science does not support this claim.

• The USDA Forest Service report states "we found no studies documenting a reduction in fire intensity in a stand that had previously burned and then been logged."
  
  
• The Beschta report states that they "are aware of no evidence supporting the contention that leaving large dead wood material significantly increases the probability of reburn."

Post-fire logging has few, if any, economic benefits. Economic revenue does not justify post-fire logging.

• Burned wood sells at low prices.
  
  
• The need to protect the fragile post-fire forest from the impacts of logging results in high costs.
  
  
• Post-fire logging may destroy economically valuable ecosystem services such as air and water purification and wildlife habitat.
  
  
• Prioritizing scientifically based restoration activities and home protection will produce numerous job opportunities.

Let's concentrate on protecting homes and lives. The Beschta report suggests that forest managers should prevent logging from interrupting post fire forest rejuvenation. The main finding of the Beschta report is that "most native species are adapted to natural patterns and processes of disturbance and recovery in the landscape and that preventing additional human disturbance (and reducing the effects of past disturbance) generally will provide the best pathway to regional ecological recovery."

Instead of removing burned trees that are an important part of the natural cycle of forests and fire, post fire projects should focus on repairing the ecological damage associated with logging, roadbuilding and grazing on our National Forests and protecting homes in and around forests.

Resources

Beschta RL, Frissell CA, Gresswell R, Hauer R, Karr JR, Minshall GW, Perry DA, and Rhodes JJ. 1995. Wildfire and Salvage Logging: recommendations for ecologically sound post-fire salvage logging and other post-fire treatments on Federal lands in the West. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University.

USDA. 2000. Environmental Effects of Postfire Logging: Literature Review and Annotated Bibliography. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-486. Wenatchee, WA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station.