From the text...'Conclusions:..Our observations indicate that smoke alone will not necessarily drive spotted owls off their territories. Even fire in close proximity and very high levels of disturbance associated with fire-fighting failed to force the bullgrouse female to abandon her young. However, the direct and indirect effects of the fire (possibly including loss of her mate prey base decline) probably contributed to this female's subsequent death. In contrast, no abandonment or mortality was observed of the pairs at neighboring Klickitat owl sites, which were less affected by a lower level of disturbance and habitat alteration. Habitat quality may decrease but is not necessarily destroyed by low intensity fire. However, high intensity fire appears to be incompatible with maintenance of spotted owl habitat. These observations lend support to Agee and Edmonds' (1992) contention that underburning and firebreaks should be used to maintain spotted owl habitat in the eastern Cascades, while also supporting their recommendation that fire be not applied to a large portion of a habitat management area in a given decade. Carefully planned and controlled burns could successfully maintain sustainability of spotted owl habitat where complete fire exclusion is no longer a realistic strategy. However, to provide high quality spotted owl habitat, some stands will need to exist in conditions carrying increased fire risk. These sites could be rotated over the long term across the landscape, utilizing firebreaks and cautious underburning in surrounding areas to reduce the risk of premature loss from wildfire.'