Fire exclusion since the 1930s across western U.S. landscapes has greatly altered fire regimes and fuel conditions. After a lightning-caused fire swept through the center of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area in 2003, researchers initiated a comprehensive study along the South Fork of the Flathead River. This study assessed the post-fire survival of over 600 iconic, relict ponderosa pine trees. These trees are of great interest as they are ancient (>400 years old), and some have Native American bark-peeling scars and fire scars. This area had not seen fire since 1910, if not earlier, despite having frequent fire (20-30 year fire return interval) prior to European settlement. Some of the trees sampled in 2003 experienced another fire in 2011 (Hammer Creek Fire). In 2017, these trees were remeasured for post-fire mortality by size class for the fifth time since the 2003 Little Salmon Complex fires. We found that mortality rates were quite low (<8%) for the larger trees (>20 inches diameter) despite the heavy pre-suppression fuel buildup and recent insect outbreaks. Ponderosa pine mortality rates remained somewhat low (<24%) throughout the sample period (2003-2017) with the larger trees having the least mortality (<18%) and the smaller trees having approximately 24% mortality. These surviving large relict ponderosa pine trees continue to thrive in the sampled areas despite a second Hammer Creek wildfire in 2011 that burned in the high fuel loading conditions created by the 2003 Little Salmon Fire

Scientists and managers initiated a collaborative process to assist the Rio Grande National Forest (RGNF) with bringing climate change information into its Forest Planning Process. The first objective of the collaborative, 2-day workshop was to present and discuss in a workshop format the salient climate change science for the RGNF landscape, in terms of projections, impacts, and vulnerabilities. The second objective was to facilitate a planning process that would stimulate ideas regarding aspects of current and proposed management that may need modification in light of stressors related to climate change. We used an adaptation decisionmaking framework to structure the workshop. All parties deemed the workshop a success, leading to lessons learned and minimum conditions for replicating similar efforts to effectively meet the 2012 planning rule criteria. As other forests consider undertaking similar collaborative science-management workshops to integrate climate change adaptation into their plan revisions, we recommend: (1) that the workshop take place early in the plan revision process, (2) that there be commitment from the national forest leadership and support for staff to complete a comprehensive look at management actions for climate change adaptation, and (3) that there be clear agreement on expectations of workshop participants - for scientists in their role of providing scientific information and for managers in their role of incorporating that information into the planning process.

Residents in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) can play an important role in reducing wildfire's negative effects by performing wildfire risk mitigation on their property. This report offers insight into the wildfire risk mitigation activities and related considerations, such as attitudes, experiences, and concern about wildfire, for people with homes in select communities in La Plata County, Colorado. Data come from a social survey and parcel-level rapid wildfire risk assessments administered by FireWise of Southwest Colorado. Results are presented both in graphical form and as detailed summary statistics (in appendices). As we recognize that results from similar surveys and assessments in other communities might differ, these linked datasets contribute to a broader effort to understand decisions about wildfire risk mitigation on private property. Results can facilitate long-term monitoring, management, and educational practices concerning the mitigation of wildfire risk in WUI communities.

For a 3-year period, from 2010-2012, the New Mexico Forestry Division utilized contractors to collect Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data in New Mexico. Funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the State partnered with the Interior West FIA Program. Together, both agencies collected data on approximately 6,450 plots. This effort represents the largest statewide inventory of forest and woodlands to date for New Mexico. The data collection schedule deviated from standard FIA protocols of collecting annual panels of data each year; in contrast, this project collected data on an accelerated, compressed schedule that rapidly produced a current and comprehensive forest inventory dataset. Data analysis is published elsewhere and the focus of this report is to document the process of the data collection.

Several mechanical approaches to managing vegetation fuels hold promise when applied to the dry mixed conifer forests in the western United States. These are most useful to treat surface, ladder, and crown fuels. There are a variety of techniques to remove or alter all kinds of plant biomass (live, dead, or decomposed) that affect forest resilience. It is important for managers to understand when (e.g., relative to stage of succession or time of year) and where (e.g., with respect to forest type or proximity to values at risk) each technique will best accomplish management objectives. This summary addresses three fuel treatment approaches: mechanical, herbicides, and targeted grazing.

While conducting greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) research, we found that solar-powered global positioning systems platform transmitter terminals (GPS PTTs) can be lost if the solar panel does not receive adequate sunlight. Thus, we developed 5-g (mortality sensor included; Prototype A) and 9.8-g (no mortality sensor; Prototype B) auxiliary very high frequency transmitters that attach to the underside of GPS PTTs and work independently of the solar panel to aid in recovery of the units. Prototype A did not function properly because of an over-sensitive mortality sensor. Prototype B performed better; each was active upon recovery. Auxiliary transmitters were useful, but we encourage testing before deployment.

Short- and medium-term evaluation of how fuel treatments are working is the only way to know if the hundreds of activities on the ground are adding up to the goals of more resilient landscapes and increased safety of people and property. Monitoring is a critical resource for decision makers who design fuels management programs, however it is an often neglected part of the fuel management cycle.