This Burned Area Rehabilitation Plan has been prepared in accordance with Department of the Interior and USFWS policy. This plan provides rehabilitation recommendations for all lands burned within the Black Pulaski and Flat Tire Fire perimeter and downstream impact areas including: public lands administered by the Charles M. Russell NWR (CMR) and other jurisdictions if necessary. This plan addresses rehabilitation treatments. The burned area was surveyed for resource damage by team members. Natural regeneration should adequately reclaim the affected areas if damaged fences are replaced and/or repaired. This will allow resting of the burned areas from grazing which will promote nature regeneration. All damaged fences have been identified. Specifics are found in the attached document (Inventory of fire damaged fences on the CMR NWR with in the Black Pulaski and Flat Tire Complex Fires). The burned area rehabilitation assessment and planning team consisted of Paul Pallas- AFMO and Team Leader, Tim Miller, John Takala and Jody Jones – Refuge Operations Specialists, Joann Dullum- GIS Specialist/Wildlife Biologist, and Bob Skinner – Vegetation Specialist. The areas burned included riparian areas, grass-savanna ridges, ponderosa pine-juniper forest and sagebrushgrass zones. The team found extensive damage to the ponderosa-juniper areas. Approximately 90% of the pine appeared to be dead. Other zones had quick moving short duration fires of moderate intensity. Recovery should be excellent in these areas and natural regeneration will likely occur.
