Lands already meeting the definition of critical habitat, because they are being managed compatibly with the owl, did not require designation. This reduced the area being designated as critical habitat. The assessment of impacts has not been completed yet and we do not have current estimates of acreage or numbers of PACs impacted. Fire impacts habitat whether it is designated as critical habitat or not. Fire can be either devastating or beneficial to owl habitat.
Wildfires can quickly consume forests across vast tracts.
After a large crown fire, habitat components for nesting, roosting, and foraging are reduced or eliminated. Small-scale natural fires and prescribed burns, however, can benefit owl habitat by reducing fuel loads, creating small openings and thinning stands that increase habitat diversity while reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire. Small-scale fires and lightning also create snags, canopy gaps, large logs, and perpetuate understory shrubs, grasses, and forbs which are important habitat components for the owl, its prey, and other wildlife. Because the resulting damage to owl habitat would be irreparable in the foreseeable future, efforts to limit large-scale catastrophic fires are of utmost importance in owl conservation. Unmanaged and unplanned wildfires that remove large areas of forests or woodlands disrupts management goals for maintaining or improving future spotted owl habitat.