Little Granite Creek Prescribed Burn
Alaska Department of Fish & Game and Alaska DNR Division of Forestry
Moose Habitat Enhancement
May 2015
In the Matanuska – Susitna Drainages covering Game Management Unit (GMU) 14A, the 2013 moose
population estimate of 8,500 exceeds the population objective of 6,000-6,500 moose. Much of this growth
can be attributed to an increase in forage from young hardwoods that grew in the wake of the 37,000-acre
Miller’s Reach fire in the western portion of this unit in 1996. Additionally, increasing development
throughout this area removed mature forests, providing new openings and edge habitat that allowed for
hardwood regeneration. However, as regeneration from both of these events matured, it grew out of
reach for moose. Moose are now are putting pressure on the limited available forage across the GMU. As
we have seen in the past, over-browsing can lead to severe population declines and even population
crashes. In an effort to prevent overutilization of available browse, ADF&G has been trying to regulate the
moose population through increased harvest. By enhancing habitat in the surrounding areas over the long
term through small-scale prescribed fires and mechanical tree cutting projects, ADF&G intends to
stimulate hardwood regeneration for moose as well as other species dependent on early successional
habitat.
The Little Granite Creek prescribed burn consists of two units northeast of Granite Creek Ranch Road at
milepost 64.1 of the Glenn Highway. The total area is 314 acres that is bordered almost entirely by existing
ATV trails. On the two boundaries not trailed, fire line will be cut in by Division of Forestry (DOF)
firefighting crews prior to ignition. By burning the understory of these aspen stands, we can attain the goal
of killing the mature aspen trees and reducing fuel loads on the forest floor. Through this method, the
underground root system of aspen will stimulate root suckering. These young aspen saplings will provide
moose forage for the next 15 or more years.
Conducting a prescribed burn of this nature requires strict adherence to weather conditions and fuel
moistures; these parameters are described in detail within the State of Alaska burn plan. Substantial work
has gone into reviewing the site on the ground, running fire behavior models, and evaluating the safety of
the operation. Before the burn is ignited, both ADF&G and DOF will be on the ground measuring fuels and
vegetation to establish a baseline of existing conditions prior to treatment. Through close coordination of
these agencies, this project demonstrates how collaboration and leveraging of funds and expertise can
lead to mutual benefits for wildlife, residents and agencies. This project is also an example of how
prescribed fire can be used to treat fuels to mitigate the risks and hazards associated with wildland fire.
The burn operation will be conducted by the Alaska Division of Forestry and supported by two firefighting
crews during ignition. Smoke will be present in the area and may impact the Glenn Highway. Signs will be
posted in the area to notify residents and recreationists of the burn.
The burn is scheduled to begin in early May, depending on weather conditions and the status of wildland
fires in the region and the state. Close coordination will take place between the Palmer DOF office and
statewide operations to ensure that firefighting resources are appropriately distributed and available.
Little Granite Creek Prescribed Burn
Alaska Department of Fish & Game and Alaska DNR Division of Forestry
Moose Habitat Enhancement
May 2015
Location:
Matanuska Moose Range, Milepost 64.1 Glenn Highway
Northeast of Granite Creek Ranch Road, Sutton
When:
May 2015 (ignition could begin May 11th, pending weather conditions)
Area:
314 acres on State land
Contacts:
Norm McDonald
Fire Management Officer
Alaska Department of Natural Resources
Division of Forestry
Palmer, AK
(907) 761-6302
[email protected]
Todd Rinaldi
Area Biologist
Alaska Department of Fish & Game
Division of Wildlife Conservation
Palmer, AK
(907) 746-6325
[email protected]