Healthy Forest Initiative Huron-Manistee National Forest Fuels Reduction Projects 2003

1. Healthy Forest InitiativeHuron-Manistee National ForestFuels Reduction Projects 2003

2. Central Lower Michigan The HMNF includes a majority of lower Michigan’s jack pine and red pine forests - (blue area of this satellite image).

3. The Huron-Manistee NF is nested within an extremely diverse landscape 8 Land Type Associations (LTA’s) occur on the HMNF. Of these - LTA 1 & 2are fire dependant systems. • Tree species - Primarily jack pine with black, pin and white oaks. • These LTA’s included dry sand prairies, pine-oak barrens, and jack pine flats with frequent fire intervals. • Pine and pine/oak types on LTA 1 & 2 are considered HIGH hazard fuel areas. • Other types on LTA 2 have MODERATE hazard. All other LTA/types are considered LOW hazard.

5. LTA 1&2’s are characterized by large fires • Rapid rate of spread (>5 mph) • Historic fire return interval estimated at 27 years. • Large catastrophic fires common (10,000 acre +). Larger fires include: • Oscoda Fire (1911) - 30,000 acres + • Mack Lake (1980) – 26,000 acres • River Road (1984) – 1,300 acres • No Pablo (2000) – 5,200 acres

8. LTA’s 1& 2 are home to many fire dependent Endangered, Threatened or Sensitive Species

9. Karner Blue Butterfly Hill’s Thistle Pale Agoserus

10. The Kirtlands’ Warbler is the most well known fire dependant species on the Huron-Manistee National Forests

11. The HMNF is a Wildland Urban Interface Forest

12. The 1984 River Road Fire was a large fire near Oscoda, MI. • 1600 acres between noon and midnight. • Threatened the Oscoda High School, Richardson Junior High and River Road Elementary. School was in session. • Threatened more than 30 homes on River Road and Grass Lake Road. • Threatened over 2 million dollars worth of improvements. • At least 10 fires have occurred within this burn area since 1984.

13. Several positive things came from the 1984 River Road Fire • Approximately 300 acres of Kirtlands’ Warbler Habitat was created. • Increased awareness that lives and property are at risk in this area. • A comprehensive plan to reduce this risk while providing for ETS species needs.

14. Oscoda School Area Fuel Break Plan • Provide additional acres of fuel breaks within the River Road fire area in large semi-open areas. • 130 additional acres of fuel break providing protection to homes along Grass Lake, River Road, the Industrial Park and the Silver Sands Subdivision. • Increased patrols and public contact in this area to bring awareness to the problem. • Several roads were closed at traditional “party spots” within 2 miles of the Schools.

15. Oscoda School Complex 1998 Fuel Break Fire 1984 River Road Fire

16. The 1998 Fuel Break Fire showed how effective fuels work can be. • 69 acres in size • Fire contained in 3 hours. • Running crown fire in young jack pine that dropped to the ground when reaching the fuel break. • Fuel break credited for saving homes along Grass Lake Road.

17. 2003 Healthy Forest Initiative Fuels Reduction Project • Expands on existing fuel breaks around the Oscoda School complex, industrial park and subdivisions. • Targets areas that have historically had high fire occurrences. • All projects are located adjacent to “Communities at Risk” as identified in the National Fire Plan.

18. Healthy Forest InitiativeHuron-Manistee National ForestFuels Reduction Projects 2003 Proposed Actions: • Oscoda Area Fuel Breaks - HFI • Create 132 acres of additional fuel breaks • Maintenance of existing fuel breaks • Sand Lake Fuels II • Create 192 acres of new fuel break • Red Keg Additional • Create 70 acres of additional fuel break • Pine River Fuel Break • Create 30 acres of additional fuel break • Improve 291 acres of existing fuel break