Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The LF Program realizes there is time between when a mechanical remove disturbance happens and when the activity fuels from it are treated, but LF assumes that activity fuels are being treated shortly after. This is what LF uses for multiple entries, in this order:

1. High severity fire. Has probably the most impact on the landscape
2. High severity mechanical remove. We assume that most of the overstory is removed, site prep for planting takes place, and then planting
3. All other fires ranging from moderate to low severity fires
4. Whichever happened most recent of the remaining disturbances
5. If only one disturbance occurred, then that is the one assigned

It would be ideal to be able to track every activity through its full progression, but there is not a good way for LF to do that for all the U.S. in a timely manner. In addition, private landowners typically do not report disturbance activities and some areas in the U.S. treat activity fuels differently, such as reducing the fuel bed depth and having high rates of decomposition to take care of them in a timely manner. It is easier when the LF team remotely detects disturbances to assume the activity fuels are being treated appropriately according to regulations.