There is currently debate on appropriate target conditions for fire hazard reduction and forest restoration. This is due to the lack of unmanaged forests that could serve as references in the western US. The pine-dominated, mixed-conifer forests of the Sierra San Pedro Martir (SSPM), Mexico, have not experienced logging and systematic fire suppression. The SSPM is unique within the California floristic province in that its forests are still regularly influenced by fires similar to those that once occurred throughout the western United States. The mixed conifer forests of the SSPM may provide information on reference conditions for similar forests that prehistorically experienced frequent, low to moderate intensity fires. This information could be used to help develop target stand conditions for reducing the fire hazard in large portions of California and Nevada mixed conifer forests. The objectives of this project are to compare climate, fire history, and stand structures of coniferous forests of the Sierra San Pedro Martir with similar forests of the Sierra Nevada.