Skip to main content
Author(s):
Peter R. Robichaud, William J. Elliot, Joseph W. Wagenbrenner, Sarah A. Lewis, Louise E. Ashmun, Peter M. Wohlgemuth, Robert E. Brown
Year Published:

Cataloging Information

Topic(s):
Management Approaches
Post-fire Management
Post-fire Rehabilitation

NRFSN number: 11227
FRAMES RCS number: 11485
Record updated:

The use and cost of post-fire emergency stabilization treatments continues to grow. To help maximize the impact of these treatments, many assessment teams use the Erosion Risk Management Tool (ERMiT) erosion model to predict postfire erosion and mitigation effects. However, despite several completed JFSP projects, the long-term effects of these treatments remain unknown, and the ERMiT model has not been validated. Long-term post-fire erosion and runoff data on a variety of mulches and erosion barriers were collected using 12 existing sites throughout the Western U.S. The agricultural straw and wood strand mulch treatments were very effective at reducing erosion and runoff. The contour-felled log treatment was effective at reducing runoff and erosion for small storms, but was not effective for larger events. The hydromulch formulations tested in this study were not effective at reducing runoff or sediment yields. Numerous presentations, field trips, and Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) trainings were conducted. These activities provided much-needed information about the effectiveness of stabilization treatments.

Citation

Robichaud, Peter R.; Elliot, William J.; Wagenbrenner, Joseph W.; Lewis, Sarah A.; Ashmun, Louise E.; Wohlgemuth, Peter M.; Brown, Robert E. 2010. Continued evaluation of post-fire recovery and treatment effectiveness for validation of the ERMiT erosion model- Final Report to the Joint Fire Science Program. JFSP Project No. 07-2-2-10. Moscow, ID: USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 20 p.

Access this Document