Using Prescribed Fire to Dispose of Logging Debris

Prescribed burns can also be used to dispose of logging debris. After harvest, unmerchantable limbs and stems are left either scattered across the area or concentrated at logging decks or delimbing gates, depending upon the method of logging. This material is an impediment to both people and planting equipment. If a wildfire occurs within the next few years, fireline construction can be severely hindered; the result being larger burn acreages and higher regeneration losses. Although not all large material will be consumed by a prescribed fire, what is left will be exposed so it can be avoided by tractorplow operators.

In stands that produce a large amount of cull material, the debris is often windrowed and burned. This practice should, however, be avoided whenever practical because of smoke management problems and the potential for site degradation. Broadcast burning is generally a much better alternative. If the debris must be piled before burning, construct round "haystack" piles when the debris and underlying ground are both fairly dry. This step will limit the amount of dirt in the pile. Piles containing large amounts of dirt can seldom be burned efficiently. They almost always smolder for long periods, creating unacceptable smoke problems.

In some cases overstory pines are left during harvest as seed trees, and in others an uneven-aged management system such as shelterwood is used. In both situations, the logging debris can still be burned, but you must take more care to protect the remaining trees.