Ignition behavior of live California chaparral leaves

J.D. Engstrom; J.K Butler; S.G. Smith; L.L. Baxter; T.H. Fletcher; David R. Weise

Treesearch

Ignition behavior of live California chaparral leaves

Informally Refereed

Authors:

J.D. Engstrom, J.K Butler, S.G. Smith, L.L. Baxter, T.H. Fletcher, David R. Weise

Year:

2004

Type:

Miscellaneous Publication

Station:

Pacific Southwest Research Station

Source:

Combustion Science and Tech, 176: 1577-1591

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Download (PDF 1.49 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/30616.pdf

Abstract

Current forest fire models are largely empirical correlations based on data from beds of dead vegetation Improvement in model capabilities is sought by developing models of the combustion of live fuels. A facility was developed to determine the combustion behavior of small samples of live fuels, consisting of a flat-flame burner on a moveable platform Qualitative and quantitative combustion data are presented for representative samples of California chaparral: manzanita (Arctostaphylos purryuna); oak (Qurrcus herheridifblia); ceanothus (Ceanothus crassifolius), and chamise (Adenostoma fusciculatum) Times to ignition were significantly influenced by shape effects. whereas ignition temperature was more dependent on chemical composition.

Keywords

wildland fires, ignition

Citation

Engstrom, J.D.; Butler, J.K; Smith, S.G.; Baxter, L.L.; Fletcher, T.H.; Weise, D.R. 2004. Ignition behavior of live California chaparral leaves. Combustion Science and Tech, 176: 1577-1591