As the dominant force that sets the structure and function of most Pacific Northwest forests, fire is likely to be the major catalyst of forest change in a warming climate. Rising temperatures, decreased snowpack, and earlier snowmelt are expected to lead to longer fire seasons, drier fuel, and an increase in the area burned by wildfires in the future. Forest managers therefore need information on how wildfire patterns and forests will change as the climate warms, in order to guide management activities that can sustain the important ecosystem services that forests provide – including timber production, carbon storage, improved water quality, and recreational opportunities.
To address this need, researchers developed a state-of-the science report synthesizing the potential effects of changing climate conditions and wildfire patterns on forests in the Pacific Northwest. This includes projections of the short-term and long-term effects of changing fire patterns on forests, case studies illustrating recent trends, and recommendations for future research that will fill information gaps and inform forest management. The report aimed to support decisions made regarding fire management, post-fire restoration activities, climate adaptation planning, and identification of future fire risks. This information will be made available to managers both in a detailed technical report and in non-technical and user-friendly fact sheets, interactive maps, and infographics.
