Little Granite Creek Prescribed Burn
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]
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