Experimental Prescribed Burn In Radiata Pine

A prescribed burn of low intensity was carried out in a 23-year-old plantation of radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don). The burn reduced the fine fuel from 3.6 to 2.6 tons per acre, and it was a satisfactory hazard-reduction measure.

Infiltration rates were determined before and after the fire by applying artificial rainfall, at the rate of 80 points in 15 minutes, to run-off plots which were 60 square feet in area.

The infiltration rates were not significantly altered by the fire, and no soil loss occurred before or after burning.

Losses of calcium, potassium and sodium in the run-off water from the first artificial rainfall after the fire were significantly increased by the burning. Nutrient losses in the run-off water from a second artificial rainfall after the fire were significantly lower than from the first.

These results are considered in relation to prescribed burning of plantation areas.