Post-Fire Monitoring on the Hualapai Reservation, Peach Springs, Arizona

Fire as a land management tool has been employed by indigenous communities to maintain and extend native grasslands as well as prevent fire-intolerant trees and shrubs from taking over. The Black Canyon fire occurred in June 2012 on the west side of the Hualapai Indian reservation, burning approximately 18,300 acres. The fire burned communities of cactus, oak, pinion pines, juniper, and native grasslands in rangeland habitat. The Hualapai Department of Natural Resources has been conducting post-fire monitoring since the fire occurred. This post-fire monitoring project provides the opportunity to assess how natural landscapes respond to naturally occurring fires. Today, fire can help tribal communities dependent on ranching by improving the grazing land and forage for cattle. The baseline data gathered will be used and incorporated in future grazing management plans and will help the Hualapai tribe further exert their autonomy and stewardship over their tribal land base.