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. We
have seen increasing development in this area where mature forests are cut and new openings allow
for hardwood regeneration, in the short term. Also, hardwoods grew in the wake of the Miller’s
Reach fire that burned 37,000 acres in the western portion of this unit in 1996. As a result, a
substantial increase in the availability of forage in subsequent years yielded more moose in this area.
The high numbers of moose now are putting substantial pressure on the available forage. In an effort
to prevent over-browsing of the habitat, ADF&G has been trying to regulate the moose population
through increased harvest. As we have seen in the past, over-browsing can lead to severe population
declines and even population crashes. By addressing habitat in the surrounding areas, ADF&G hopes
to mitigate a population decline by using vegetation treatment methods (fire and mechanical tree
cutting) to re-set succession and 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 DOF 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 resources are appropriately distributed and available.
Little Granite Creek Prescribed Burn
Alaska Department of Fish & Game and Alaska DNR Division of Forestry
Moose Habitat and Mitigation of Wildland Fire
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 4th, 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]