Fire Effects Monitoring

Monitoring and evaluation of prescribed fires is an essential management activity. Without monitoring, managers cannot properly evaluate the effects of prescribed fire or fire suppression.

There are a variety of reasons for establishing a sound and consistent method to measure and evaluate information regarding fire effects, which include:

• to determine if management goals/objectives are being met.

• provide a basis for improving economic efficiency.

• validate fire behavior outputs.

• refine prescriptions.

• improve information sharing.

To this end, Crane Meadows NWR has adopted the protocols found in the National Park Service Fire Monitoring Handbook (FMH) for monitoring fire effects on the Refuge. For a detailed discussion of these protocols, please visit the National Park Service Fire Monitoring Program website at: http://www.nps.gov/fire/fire/fir_eco_mon_fmh.cfm