Fire dynamics play a vital role in Alaskan ecosystems. With soil being the foundation of life in most of the world's terrestrial ecosystems, it is important to research the impact fire has on properties of Alaskan soils that are critical for forest and tundra recovery. This paper evaluates the effect of fire on basic soil properties related to water retention and conductivity. Samples were taken from previously burned areas in boreal forest stands at various stages of recovery from fires in Interior Alaska. The samples were analyzed to see if fire altered these properties and to see how quickly the soil and vegetation re-established after fire events. Areas that experience variable patterns of preserved vegetation in burned areas, such as mossy islands or “tuffets” and riparian boundaries, were also observed to see if a soil property such as hydraulic conductivity or texture played a critical role in how these burn patterns were established.
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