South Marsh Prescribed Fire


Burning in a black line.	Completed black line.

Overview
Firefighters and managers from the Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge are planning a prescribed burn for the refuge's South Marsh. Commencing mid-October, firefighters will establish control lines using a combination of mowing, haying and black-lining. When weather conditions permit, firefighters will use a helicopter to complete an aerial ignition of the South Marsh. The completed burn will be approximately 7,000 acres and is planned to occur between late October and early November.

Burn Objectives
The following objectives outline the desired conditions by spring of 2008 for the South Marsh following a successful burn:

Remove 60-85% of cattail and bulrush. Create a post-burn ratio from 50:50 to 30:60 emergent vegetation to open water.
Decrease amount of emergent vegetation to approximately 40-50% cover and increase open water to 50-60%.
Enhance and maintain habitat for species like marsh wren, red-winged black birds, sora and Virginia rail and possibly bitterns (American and least). Provide additional habitat for many duck, geese, crane, heron, grebe, shorebird, swan and passerine bird species.


Sege	Bulrush	Cattail

Questions regarding the burn should be directed to Carol Damberg, Refuge Manager, Klamath Marsh NWR, at (541) 783-3380.

Refuge Vicinity Map 580 kb (200 dpi)
Project Area Map 2.44 mb (200 dpi)