Measuring soil and tree temperatures during prescribed fires with thermocouple probes

Stephen S. Sackett; Sally M. Haase

doi:10.2737/PSW-GTR-131

Treesearch

Measuring soil and tree temperatures during prescribed fires with thermocouple probes

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Stephen S. Sackett, Sally M. Haase

Year:

1992

Type:

General Technical Report

Station:

Pacific Southwest Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/PSW-GTR-131

Source:

Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-131. Berkeley, Calif.: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. 15 p

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Abstract

Soil and cambium temperatures must be known to ascertain certain effects of prescribed fires on trees. Thermocouple-based systems were devised for measuring soil and cambium temperatures during prescribed fires. The systems, which incorporate both commercially available and custom components, perform three basic functions: data collection, data retrieval, and data translation. Although the systems and procedures for using them were designed for research purposes, they could be adapted for monitoring operational prescribed fires.

Keywords

soil temperature, tree temperature, prescribed fire, thermocouples, dataloggers, Southwestern ponderosa pine, sugar pine, giant sequoia

Citation

Sackett, Stephen S.; Haase, Sally M. 1992. Measuring soil and tree temperatures during prescribed fires with thermocouple probes. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-131. Berkeley, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. 15 p