Morris C. Johnson
400 N. 34th St. Suite 201
Seattle, WA 98103
Office: 206-732-7852
Fax: 206-732-7801
Email: mcjohnson@fs.fed.us
Web: http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/fera/
Education:
2008. Ph.D., Ecosystem Analysis, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
2002. M.S., Silviculture and Forest Protection, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
1996. B.S., Urban Forestry, Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA.
Work experience:
2010-present
2002-2010
1998-2002
2001
1999
1996-1998
1994-1996
Research Fire Ecologist, Pacific Wildland Fire Sciences Laboratory, Seattle, WA
Fire Ecologist, Pacific Wildland Fire Sciences Laboratory, Seattle, WA
Research Assistant, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Redding Interagency Hotshot, Northern California Fire Center, Redding, CA
Redmond Interagency Hotshot, Redmond Air Center, Redmond, OR
Forest Ecologist, Rogue River National Forest, Prospect, OR
Ecologist Trainee, Rogue River National Forest, Prospect, OR
Publications:
Johnson, M.C., Kennedy, M.C, and Peterson, D.L. 2011. Simulating fuel treatment effects in
dry forests of the western United States: testing the principles of a fire-safe forest. Canadian
Journal of Forest Research 41: 1018-1030.
Peterson, D.L., Halofsky, J.E., Johnson, M.C. 2010. Managing and adapting to changing fire
regimes in a warmer climate. Book chapter in The Landscape Ecology of Fire. Edited by D.
McKenzie, C. Miller, and D. Falk. Springer-Verlag, New York.
Johnson, M.C., Peterson, D.L. and Raymond, C.L. 2009. Fuel treatment guidebook: illustrating
treatment effects on fire hazard. Forest Management Today 69: 31-35.
Peterson, D.L., Johnson, M.C. 2007. Science-Based Strategic Planning for Hazardous Fuel
Treatment. Fire Management Today 67: 13-18.
Johnson, M.C., Kellogg, L., Peterson, D.L. 2007a. Cedar River Municipal Watershed Fire
Hazard Assessment, Pacific Wildland Fire Science Laboratory, USDA Forest Service, Pacific
Northwest Research Station, Seattle, WA
Johnson, M.C., Kellogg, L., Peterson, D.L. 2007b. Cedar River Municipal Watershed Fuel
Decomposition Study, Pacific Wildland Fire Science Laboratory, USDA Forest Service, Pacific
Northwest Research Station, Seattle, WA
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Johnson, M.C., Peterson, D.L., Raymond, C.L. 2007. Managing Forest Structure and Fire
Hazard-A Tool for Planners. Journal of Forestry 105: 77-83.
Johnson, M.C., Peterson, D.L., Raymond, C.L. 2006. Guide to fuel treatments in dry forests of
the western United States: assessing forest structure and fire hazard. USDA Forest Service
General Technical Report PNW-GTR-686. Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR.
Johnson, M.C., Peterson, D.L. 2005. Forest fuel treatments in western North America: Merging
silviculture and fire management. The Forestry Chronicle 81: 365-368
Peterson, D. L., Johnson, M.C., Agee, J.K., Jain, T.B., McKenzie, D., Reinhardt, E.D. 2005.
Forest structure and fire hazard in dry forests of the Western United States. Gen. Tech. Rep.
PNW-GTR-628. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific
Northwest Research Station. 30 p.
Graham, R.T., McCaffrey, S., Jain, T.B. 2004. Science basis for changing forest structure to
modify wildfire behavior and severity. Contributing author. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-120.
Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research
Station. 43 p.
Manuscript in prep:
Hicke, J.A., Johnson, M.C. Hayes, J.L. Preisle, H.K. 2011 Effects of Bark Beetle-Caused Tree
Mortality on Wildfire. 2011. Submitted.
Johnson, M.C., Peterson, D.L., Kennedy, M.C., LaBarge, A. 2011. Effects of logging on fuels
and fire behavior following a windstorm. In prep.
Johnson, M.C., Halofsky, J.E. 2011. Evaluating the effects of forest restoration thinning on fire
hazard and area burned in the Cedar River Municipal Watershed. In prep.
GRANTS AND RESEARCH FUNDING
USDA PNW Research Station. 2010. Developing a Post Processor to Integrate the Fuel
Characteristic Classification System (FCCS) and the Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS)
Principal Investigators: Morris Johnson, Stephanie Rebain. Award amount: $50,000
US Forest Service Global Change Research. 2008. Model fire hazard in several western states
using the Fuel Characteristic Classification System (FCCS).
Principal Investigators: Ken Skog, Bruce Lippke, Don McKenzie. Award amount: $42,974
Fuel Decomposition in the Cedar River Municipal Watershed. Seattle Public Utilities. 2007. We
measured fuelbed decomposition and fire hazard in thinned stands in the Cedar River Watershed.
Principal Investigators: David L. Peterson and Morris C. Johnson. Award amount: $30,000
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URS Corporation. 2006. Camp Beale Lidar and Vegetation Analysis Project. Analyzed canopy
cover estimates for forest ecosystems in California. Principal Investigators: Robert Selfridge.
Federal Cooperator: Morris Johnson. Award amount: $20,000.
Bureau of Land Management. 2008. Medford Blowdown Fire Hazard Analysis. We will evaluate
the effects of varied severity blowdown, salvage logging and subsequent post-salvage fuel
treatments. The information from estimated pre-blowdown fuel profiles and post treatment plots
will be used to determine these effects.
Principal Investigators: Morris C. Johnson, David L. Peterson, Jessica Halosky. Award amount:
$50,000
Tahoe Science Program funded by SNPLMA. 2008. Using an integrated approach that links two
commonly used tools, the Fire and Fuels Extension to the Forest Vegetation Simulator (FFEFVS) and the Fuel Characteristic Classification System (FCCS), we will develop a range of
management alternatives appropriate for application in the South Shore wildland-urban interface
project in the Lake Tahoe Management Unit, Tahoe National Forest.
Principal Investigators: Morris C. Johnson and Roger Ottmar PI. Award amount: $68,000
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND AWARDS
USDA Forest Service Quality Step Increase, 2009
USDA Forest Service Highly Influential Research Publication, 2007
Bill and Melinda Gates Millennium Fellowship, 2000-2006
Graduate Opportunity Minority Achievement Scholarship, 2006
USDA Forest Service Certificate of Merit, 2004
USDA Forest Service Certificate of Merit, 2004
College of Forest Resources Research Assistantship, 1998-2002
Seventh American Forest Congress Scholarship, 1996
Virginia Landwehr Plauche’ Scholarship Award, 1996
Chancellor’s Certificate of Recognition, 1995
Golden Key National Honor Society P.M. Scholar Award, 1995
All-American Scholar Collegiate Award, 1994
Professional Soil Conservation Scholarship Award, 1994
Certificate of Academic Excellence, 1993
Certificate of Academic Merit, 1993-96
Urban Forestry Scholarship, 1993-96
Chancellor’s Scholar, 1993-96
Dean’s List, 1992-96
ACTIVITIES
Gates Millennium Scholar Mentor, 2009-present
Making Connection Mentor, 2002
Society of American Forestry Club, 2002
Volunteer YMCA Gates Youth Development Center, 2001
College of Forest Resource Safety Committee, 1999-2001
Member Rotaract International Club, 1998-2001
Member Golden Key National Honor Society, 1995
Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources & Related Sciences, 1994-96
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Resident Assistant Association, 1994-96
Urban Forestry Club, 1994-96
Urban Forestry Club (Sergeant at Arms), 1994-95
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
International Association of Wildland Fire, 2009-present
Association of Fire Ecology, 2009-present
Society of American Foresters, 2002-2009
Ecological Society of America, 2001-2003
Offered papers and posters
Johnson, M.C., Halofsky, J., Peterson, D.L. Quantifying fire hazard and fire behavior following a
windstorm in southwest Oregon (U.S.A.) using the Fuel Characteristics Classification System
(FCCS). Presented oral by Johnson for the Association for Fire Ecology’s Interior West Fire
Ecology Conference, 14-17 November 2011, Snowbird Resort, Utah.
Hicke, J.A., Hayes, J.L., Johnson, M.C., Preisler, H. K. Effects of Bark Beetle-Caused Tree
Mortality on Subsequent Wildfire. Presented oral by Hicke for the North American Forest Insect
Work Conference, 10-12 May 2011, Portland, OR.
Johnson, M.C., Kennedy, M.C., Peterson, D.L.. A simulation study of fuel treatment effects in
dry forests of the western United States: testing the principles of a fire-safe forest. Presented
poster by Johnson for the 5th International Wildland Fire Conference, 9-13 May 2011, Sun City,
South Africa.
Johnson, M.C., Peterson, D.L., Kennedy, M.K. Evaluating the effects of forest restoration
thinning on fire hazard and area burned in the Cedar River Municipal Watershed. Presented
poster by Johnson for the 5th International Wildland Fire Conference, 9-13 May 2011, Sun City,
South Africa.
Johnson, M.C., Peterson, D.L., Rebain, S, Vandendriesche, D., Eagle, P. Integrating the Fuel
Characteristics System and the Forest Vegetation Simulator. Presented poster by Johnson for the
5th International Wildland Fire Conference, 9-13 May 2011, Sun City, South Africa.
Johnson, M.C., Halofsky, J., Peterson, D.L. Quantifying fire hazard and fire behavior following a
windstorm in southwest Oregon (U.S.A.) using the Fuel Characteristics Classification System
(FCCS). Presented oral by Johnson for the 5th International Wildland Fire Conference, 9-13
May 2011, Sun City, South Africa.
Johnson, M.C., Halofsky, J., Peterson, D.L. Quantifying fire hazard and fire behavior following a
windstorm in southwest Oregon (U.S.A.) using the Fuel Characteristics Classification System
(FCCS). Presented oral by Johnson for the US-International Association of Landscape Ecology:
Sustainability in Dynamic Landscapes, 3-7 April, 2011, Portland, Oregon.
Johnson, M.C., Peterson, D.L., Kennedy, M.K. Evaluating the effects of forest restoration
thinning on fire hazard and area burned in the Cedar River Municipal Watershed. Presented oral
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by Johnson for the US-International Association of Landscape Ecology: Sustainability in
Dynamic Landscapes, 3-7 April, 2011, Portland, Oregon.
Hart, S., Halofsky, J.H., Johnson, M.C., Hemstrom, M., Ottmar, R. Simulating fire hazard across
landscapes through time: Integrating VDDT and the Fuel Characteristic Classification System
(FCCS). Presented oral by Halofsky and Hart for the US-International Association of Landscape
Ecology: Sustainability in Dynamic Landscapes, 3-7 April, 2011, Portland, Oregon.
Peterson, D.L., Halosky, J.E., Johnson, M.C. Fuels Management in a Warmer Climate.
Presented oral by Johnson and Halosky for the Joint Fuels/Ecology/Silviculture Meeting. 15-18
November 2010. Bend, Oregon
Johnson, M.C., Halofsky, J., Peterson, D.L. Quantifying fire hazard after blowdown in southwest
Oregon. Presented poster by Johnson for the International Association of Wildland Fire 3rd Fire
Behavior and Fuels Conference, 25-29 October 2010, Spokane, Washington.
Johnson, M.C., Peterson, D.L., Kennedy, M.K. Forest restoration and fire hazard in a high
severity fire regime. Presented poster by Johnson for the International Association of Wildland
Fire 3rd Fire Behavior and Fuels Conference, 25-29 October 2010, Spokane, Washington.
Johnson, M.C., Peterson, D.L., Rebain, S, Vandendriesche, D., Eagle, P. Integrating the Fuel
Characteristics System and the Forest Vegetation Simulator. Presented poster by Johnson for the
International Association of Wildland Fire 3rd Fire Behavior and Fuels Conference, 25-29
October 2010, Spokane, Washington.
Halofsky, J., Hart, S.K., Hemstrom, M.A., Johnson, M.C. Simulating fire hazard across
landscapes over time through integration of the Vegetation Dynamics Development Tool
(VDDT) and the Fuel Characteristic Classification System (FCCS). Presented poster by Halofsky
for the International Association of Wildland Fire 3rd Fire Behavior and Fuels Conference, 2529 October 2010, Spokane, Washington.
Johnson, M.C., Kennedy, M., Peterson, D.L. A simulation study of fuel treatment effects in dry
forests of the western United States: testing the principles of a fire‐safe forest. Presented oral by
Johnson for the International Association of Wildland Fire 3rd Fire Behavior and Fuels
Conference, 25-29 October 2010, Spokane, Washington.
Hicke, J., Hayes, J., Johnson, M.C. A synthesis of insect outbreaks and subsequent wildfire.
Presented oral by Hicke for the International Association of Wildland Fire 3rd Fire Behavior and
Fuels Conference, 25-29 October 2010, Spokane, Washington.
Johnson, M.C., Peterson, D.L., Ottmar, R., Rebain, S., and Vandendriesche, D. Integrating Fuel
Characteristic Classification System and the Forest Vegetation Simulator. Presented poster by
Johnson for the Society of American Foresters Conference, September 30-October 4, 2009,
Coronado Springs Resort, Orlando, Florida.
Johnson, M.C. Kennedy, M.C, and Peterson, D.L. Fuel treatment effects in dry forests of the
western United States: testing the principles of a fire-safe forest. Presented oral by Johnson for
The Association of Fire Ecology, 4th International Fire Ecology & Management Congress, 30,
November-4 December 2009, Savannah, GA
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Johnson, M.C., Kellogg, L., and Peterson, D.L. Forest Restoration in the Cedar River Municipal
Watershed: Fire Hazard Assessment. Presented poster by Johnson for the 1st Fire Behavior and
Fuels Conference. Fuels Management—How to Measure Success. 28-30 March, 2006, Portland,
Oregon.
Johnson, M.C. and Peterson, D.L. Forest fuel treatments in western North America: Merging
silviculture and fire management. Presented poster by Johnson for the IUFRO XXII World
Congress, 8-13 August, 2005, Brisbane, Australia.
Johnson, M. C., Peterson, D.L., and Raymond, C.L. A guidebook for evaluating potential fire
behavior both before and after fire hazard reduction treatments. Presented poster by Johnson for
the National Silviculture Workshop, 7-10 June 2005, Tahoe City, California.
Johnson, M.C., Peterson, D.L. An Integrated Planning and Visualization Tool for Evaluating the
Effectiveness of Fuel Treatments. Presented poster by Johnson for the 3rd International Wildland
Fire Conference and Exhibition, 3-6, October 2003, Sydney, Australia.
Peterson, D.L., Johnson, M.C., Agee, J.K., Jain, T.B., McKenzie, D, Reinhardt, E.D. Fuels
Planning: Managing Forest Structure to Reduce Fire Hazard. Presented poster by Johnson for
The 5th Symposium on Fire and Forest Meteorology and the 2nd International Wildland Fire
Ecology and Fire Management Congress, 16-20, November 2003. Orlando, Florida.
EDITORIAL SERVICE
Reviewer for Forest Ecology and Management, 2011
Reviewer for International Journal of Wildland Fire, 2011
Reviewer for Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 2009
Reviewer for Environmental Management, 2009
Reviewer for the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act research grant proposals, 2008,
2010
TEACHING AND OUTREACH
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Instructor for Fuels Management and Fire Use. Advanced Fire Academy, McClellan, CA.
2010. Prepared lesson plan and presented 1-hour lectures.
Instructor for Rx510 Advanced Fire Effects. National Advanced Fire & Resource
Institute, Tucson, AZ. 2009. Prepared lesson plan and present 1-hour lecture on Fire
Induced Landscape Dynamics.
Instructor for Technical Fire Management course. Washington Institute, Duvall ,WA.
2005-present. Presented 4-hour lecture on Integrating Silviculture and Fire Management
in the Fire Effects Module to fire and forest managers from different federal land
management agencies.
Guest Lecturer for Fire Ecology and Management Class, University of Washington,
School of Forest Resources, 2006-present. Presented 1-hour lecture to undergraduate and
graduate students on wildland operations and logistics.
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Guest Lecturer for Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Class, University of Washington,
School of Forest Resources, 2008. Presented 1-hour lectures to undergraduate and
graduate students.
Guest Instructor for the Forest Service National Advanced Silviculture Program (NASP)
Ecological Systems Session, School Forest Resources and Environmental Science,
Michigan Technological University Houghton, MI. May 13-25, 2007. Presented 4-hour
lecture to fire managers on Fire Management in the Pacific Northwest.
SERVICE
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Member Program Committee, 5th International Wildland Fire Conference, Sun City,
South Africa May 9-13, 2011.
Member Forest Vegetation Simulator Steering Committee, 2010-present
Chair Forest Vegetation Simulator Fire Subcommittee 2010-present
Member Program Committee, 3rd Fire Behavior & Fuels Conference, Spokane, WA,
October 25-29, 2010
Member Steering Committee, 3rd Fire Behavior & Fuels Conference, Spokane, WA,
October 25-29, 2010
Moderator Oral Session. 2010. 3rd Fire Behavior & Fuels Conference, Spokane, WA,
October 25-29, 2010
Moderator Poster Symposium. 2009. Society of American Forester. Orlando, FL
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