FuelCalc - Canopy fuel calculator and model

FuelCalc is a desktop software application for determining changes in surface and crown fuel loading after thinning, pruning, piling and/or prescribed fire.

FuelCalc is a fuel characteristics simulation software program for assisting fuel management planners and related resource specialists designing and implementing fuel treatments in forest stands. It calculates initial canopy fuel characteristics and simulates the effects of thinning, pruning, piling and broadcast burning on ground, surface and canopy fuels due to alternative treatments. Input files can be created in the FFI monitoring software application or by manually creating them in FuelCalc’s comma-delimited format.

FuelCalc was developed to help resource managers:

• Calculate canopy fuel characteristics from an existing treelist; and
• Simulate the effects of fuel treatments and fire on ground (duff and other below surface fuel), surface, and canopy fuels.

Before using FuelCalc, users should have a working knowledge of fuel characteristics, fuel treatments, and fire behavior. Many FuelCalc processes are based on the First Order Fire Effects Model (FOFEM), consequently, familiarity with FOFEM will increase the understanding of FuelCalc model logic and outputs. Some knowledge of the FFI application may be useful for creating FuelCalc input files. Likewise, some understanding of fire behavior fuel models may be helpful interpreting model outputs.

Principal Investigator: Sharon Hood 

Funding Contributor(s):

• USFS Fire and Aviation Management
• USFS Wildland Fire Management Research, Development & Application

Project Years: 2006-present

Installation Instructions:

Non-Forest Service users: Download the installer zip file, extract the folders and files, navigate to the Install folder, double-click Setup.exe, click Next on the three installation screens and click Close to finish the installation.

Forest Service users: Search FuelCalc in the Software Center, double click the FuelCalc entry and follow the on-screen prompts.

FuelCalc output screenshot

Documents and Downloads Summary (see below for links)

Documents 
FuelCalc 1.8 User Guide

Downloads
FuelCalc 1.8 Installation Files
FuelCalc Tutorial Files - These files are necessary to complete the FuelCalc tutorial.