BLM Alaska Forest Biomass Potential

Much of Alaska’s 20 million acres of noncommercial forest is in small trees in remote locations. Each year a substantial number of acres are burned but not necessarily consumed by wild fire. This provides a large area of that could be harvested for biomass annually.  While the specific areas that will burn in a given year are not predictable, the fire perimeters are mapped and can be readily reviewed for those interested in Harvesting.  Because of the dry interior climate it is not unusual for burned stands to remain viable for biomass for ten to fifteen years. Winter harvesting allows these materials to be transported a considerable distance without the need to build roads or disturb the natural ground cover in most instances.