Predicted fuel consumption in the Burnup model: sensitivity to four user inputs

Abstract

Fuelbeds consist of a number of combustible components that are consumed during a fire, including duff, litter, vegetation (herbs, shrub, foliage, and branches) and down dead woody material (DWM). Combustion of DWM during a fire has a well-documented role in determining fire effects and fire behavior impacts such as emissions (Sandberg and others 2002), vegetative changes (Brown and Smith 2000), soil heating (Neary and others 2005), and fire intensity (Pyne and others 1996). Inventory programs and research studies, such as Brown and See 1981, note that on forested sites in the United States DWM is often the second most abundant fuel component by mass (after duff), so an accurate prediction of DWM consumption is important for determining fire effects and fire behavior.

Citation

Lutes, D. C. 2013. Predicted fuel consumption in the Burnup model: sensitivity to four user inputs. Res. Note RMRS-RN-51WWW. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 11 p.