The Ion – Wando project in the Francis – Marion National Forest in eastern South Carolina comprised 1,030 acres (33-118 feet elevation) of remnant longleaf pine forest, hardwood and mixed-pine regeneration, and pocosin swamp. This landscape has been impacted by hurricanes that have resulted in one billion board feet of blowdown. Salvage efforts have recovered one-third of this damaged timber, with two-thirds still on the ground creating fuel-related concern. Unplanned ignitions in these areas may lead to smoldering and smoke issues.

Forest management is also concerned with wildland-urban interface (WUI) issues, with a housing boom on the coastline and multiple in-holdings within the project area. There is a perceived conflict with new local residents who may not understand the traditional use and need for frequent burning in this area. It is desired that the SPOTS collaborative process, including the graphic displays of fire behavior predictions made possible through the models, will aid communication and management decisions that may alleviate concerns about loblolly pine regeneration, pocosin issues, threatened and endangered species, and the protection of rare fire-dependent plants species.

The FARSITE fire behavior model was used to model fire within both the pre-treatment and post-treatment landscapes. Participants included a multidisciplinary USDA Forest Service management team, local cooperators, the public, and the Tall Timbers Research Station.