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Fire and Fire Surrogate Studies and SageSTEP: The Benefits of Long-Term Fire Research Webinar

  • nafsehelp
  • 20 hours ago
  • 2 min read

On April 2, 2026 this webinar took an in‑depth look at two of the most influential long‑term fire research efforts supported by the Joint Fire Science Program: the Fire and Fire Surrogate (FFS) Study and the Sagebrush Steppe Treatment Evaluation Project (SageSTEP). These landmark studies provide rare, decades‑long insights into how different fuel treatments and fire management strategies shape ecosystem resilience, fuel dynamics, vegetation structure, and wildlife habitat. The webinar also highlighted why long-term research sites are ​integral in understanding ecosystem response and for informing ​management decisions today.


Key findings were explored from several FFS locations—including Blodgett Forest Research Station (CA), Lubrecht Experimental Forest (MT), Green River Game Land (NC), and Ohio Hills (OH)—as well as the network of SageSTEP sites across the sagebrush biome.




Webinar Agenda

1:00-1:10 PM - Introduction to JFSP, FSEN, the Fire and Fire Surrogate Study, and the SageSTEP Project Molly Hunter, Joint Fire Science Program 1:10-1:20 PM - Green River Game Land Study Site Don Hagan, Clemson University

1:20-1:30 PM - Ohio Hills Study Site

Bryce Adams, Northern Research Station, USDA Forest Service

1:30-1:40 PM - Lubrecht Experimental Forest Study Site

Sharon Hood, Rocky Mountain Research Station, USDA Forest Service

1:40-1:50 PM - Blodgett Forest Research Station Study Site Scott Stephens, University of California – Berkeley

1:50-2:00 PM - SageSTEP Project

Lisa Ellsworth, Oregon State University and Beth Newingham, Agricultural Research Service

2:00-2:10 PM - Overarching Lessons from Long-Term Fuel Treatment Studies and Looking Ahead Alexis Bernal, University of California – Berkeley

2:10-2:30 PM - Q/A and Moderated Discussion with the Speakers

Resources


  • The National Fire and Fire Surrogate Study: Effects of Fuel Treatments in the Western and Eastern United States after 20 Years (LINK)

  • Review of Fuel Treatment Effects on Fuels, Fire Behavior and Ecological Resilience in Sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) Ecosystems in the Western U.S. (LINK)

  • Long-term Efficacy of Fuel Reduction and Restoration Treatments in Northern Rockies Dry Forests (LINK)

  • SageSTEP.org (LINK)

  • Joint Fire Science Program (LINK)



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