Dead Tree Web
Information Corner
Professional Corner
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CWD/Fuel Calculator
A standardized methodology for assessing the impacts of prescribed fires in logging
slash fuels has existed since 1986, most recently published as:
Trowbridge, R., B. Hawkes, A. Macadam, and J. Parminter. 1994.
Field Handbook for Prescribed Fire Assessments in British Columbia: Logging Slash Fuels.
FRDA Handbook No.
001. B.C. Ministry of Forests and Canada/B.C. Economic and Regional Development Agreement.
Queen's Printer, Victoria, B.C. November 1994 reprint. v + 62 p.
Mainframe versions of the data entry and analysis software for these procedures were
housed at the Pacific Forestry Centre, Canadian Forest Service, Victoria, B.C. and with
the Protection Branch of the B.C. Ministry of Forests, Victoria, B.C. CH Software
Services of Victoria, B.C. produced a PC-based version of the program in 1989. The
original focus was on woody debris as fuel and how it is affected by prescribed burning.
Coarse woody debris is now recognized as an important component of natural stands and much
effort has recently gone into quantifying coarse woody debris loadings in various natural
and managed ecosystems.
This software updates the original version which calculated fuel loadings and consumption
on a weight basis, before and after prescribed burning. The program now includes
additional functions to calculate coarse woody debris volumes in natural stands or
harvested areas. Comparisons between pre-treatment and post-treatment fuel loadings are
part of the procedures for assessing prescribed fires. Such comparisons may also be made
for coarse woody debris volumes by repeating the field surveys before and after
harvesting. A variety of survey methods are used to assess coarse woody debris volumes and
we hope that the program accommodates most of them.
For further information and how to access this "free" program please contact
John Parminter
Research Branch
Ministry of Forests
Victoria, B.C.
Funding provided through the Extension component of the Forest Renewal B.C.s Research
Program.
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