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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 17(1)

Variability in fire–climate relationships in ponderosa pine forests in the Colorado Front Range

Rosemary L. Sherriff A C D and Thomas T. Veblen B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Hawaii at Hilo, 200 W Kawili Street, Hilo, HI 96720, USA.

B Department of Geography, University of Colorado, Campus Box 260, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.

C Present address: Department of Geography, University of Kentucky, 1457 Patterson Office Tower, Lexington, KY 40506-0027, USA.

D Corresponding author. Email: rsherriff@uky.edu

International Journal of Wildland Fire 17(1) 50-59 https://doi.org/10.1071/WF07029
Submitted: 14 February 2007  Accepted: 20 June 2007   Published: 15 February 2008

Abstract

Understanding the interactions of climate variability and wildfire has been a primary objective of recent fire history research. The present study examines the influence of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) on fire occurrence using fire-scar evidence from 58 sites from the lower ecotone to the upper elevational limits of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) in northern Colorado. An important finding is that at low v. high elevations within the montane zone, climatic patterns conducive to years of widespread fire are different. Differences in fire–climate relationships are manifested primarily in antecedent year climate. Below ~2100 m, fires are dependent on antecedent moister conditions that favour fine fuel accumulation 2 years before dry fire years. In the upper montane zone, fires are dependent primarily on drought rather than an increase in fine fuels. Throughout the montane zone, fire is strongly linked to variations in moisture availability that in turn is linked to climate influences of ENSO, PDO and AMO. Fire occurrence is greater than expected during the phases of each index associated with drought. Regionally widespread fire years are associated with specific phase combinations of ENSO, PDO and AMO. In particular, the combination of La Niña, negative PDO and positive AMO is highly conducive to widespread fire.

Additional keywords: Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, El Niño–Southern Oscillation, fire history, Pacific Decadal Oscillation, Pinus ponderosa.


Acknowledgements

Funding from NSF Awards DEB-0314305, BCS-0221493, BCS 0540928, and BCS 0541480, USGS Division of Biological Resources, and City and County Boulder Open Space.


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