5 or 6 years ago we had a huge forest fire about 150 miles north of here. 2 years later, Google Earth updated that area and it showed the burned area. It's amazing how much green was still left where the fire had gone around things. Even these cheatgrass fed range fires will leave big unburned patches here and there.
RC,
When the USFS gives a figure for the size of a fire it is area inside the entire perimeter. On average, within the perimeter, 40-60% of the area actually burns.
The Yellowstone fire is a really good example where the 275-300 year old stands of lodgepoles burned (they were ready to burn), the 200 year old lodgepole stands right next to the older stands generally didn't burn--they weren't ready to burn and were still fire resistant.
Casey
