Estimated smoldering probability: a new tool for predicting ground fire in the organic soils on the North Carolina Coastal Plain

Abstract

In the Southeastern United States, fires in pocosin wetlands and other similar vegetation communities with deep organic soils are a serious concern to fire managers. Highly flammable shrubs, such as gallberry and fetterbush, and small evergreen trees, such as red and loblolly bay, create the potential for extreme surface fire behavior. Moreover, deep organic soils allow excessive ground fire smoldering in these communities. The combustion of organic soils produces large amounts of persistent smoke, which is linked to health concerns and increases the potential for vehicle accidents due to reduced visibility.

Citation

Reardon, James; Curcio, Gary. 2011. Estimated smoldering probability: a new tool for predicting ground fire in the organic soils on the North Carolina Coastal Plain. Fire Management Today. 71(3): 24-30.