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Table 4 Proposed climate adaptation strategies for fire management in the southern Sierra Nevada. Strategies are primarily based on regional workshops, published literature, and technical assessments specific to the ecoregion.

From: Principles of Effective USA Federal Fire Management Plans

Climate adaptation approach

Example(s)

1. Development of ecoregional Fire Management Plan

Proposed federal FMP for southern Sierra Nevada ecoregion (NPS, FS, BLM)

2. Use of cross-jurisdictional demonstration landscapes to facilitate shared learning

Kings River watershed with extensive science and monitoring infrastructure to test climate adaptation strategies implemented across administrative boundaries (NPS, FS)

3. Adaptive seasonality in fire management operations

Greater use of wildland fire for resource objectives during winter months and following wetter winters

4. Fuel treatment prioritization and restoration informed by climate vulnerability assessment

Prioritize climate refugia for fuel treatment and restoration efforts; facilitate or accept transitions in high vulnerability areas (e.g., projected loss of coniferous forests)

5. Fewer operational constraints for the use of wildland fire

Greater flexibility in GMP, RMP, or LRMP standards and guidelines, such as more flexible Limited Operating Periods (LOPs) related to prescribed fire

6. Development of post-fire “climate-smart” restoration strategies

Focus post-fire reforestation efforts (e.g., tree planting) in areas that will support forests of the future with climate change; consider more drought-tolerant species in seedling mixes (e.g., oaks) with wider and more variable spacing to facilitate future heterogeneity and resilience (FS)

7. Adjust fire operations during large and severe wildfires

Avoid the creation of larger high-severity fire patches resulting from burnout and mop-up operations to protect partially unburned refugia that aid post-fire recovery