Effects of the mountain pine beetle on fuels and fire behaviour

Tree mortality induced by the mountain pine beetle (mpb) results in important changes to fuel characteristics, fire environment, and subsequent fire behaviour. The Fuel Loading and Fire Behaviour Concurrent Session formed part of the Mountain Pine Beetle: From Lessons Learned to Communitybased Solutions conference, held June 10[long dash] 11, 2008, at the University of Northern British Columbia. This session examined our knowledge of the immediate and long-term effects of mpb on fuel characteristics, fire environment, and behaviour; the changes in annual burn rate following past mpb outbreaks; experimental burning projects; the use of fuelbreaks in stands affected by mpb; the B.C. Ministry of Forests and Range's fuel management program; and impacts of mpb on First Nations.