Physical characteristics of shrub and conifer fuels for fire behavior models

Jonathan R. Gallacher; Thomas H. Fletcher; Victoria Lansinger; Sydney Hansen; Taylor Ellsworth; David R. Weise

doi:10.2737/PSW-RP-269

Treesearch

Physical characteristics of shrub and conifer fuels for fire behavior models

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Jonathan R. Gallacher, Thomas H. Fletcher, Victoria Lansinger, Sydney Hansen, Taylor Ellsworth, David R. Weise

Year:

2017

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Pacific Southwest Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/PSW-RP-269

Source:

Res. Pap. PSW-RP-269. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. 43 p.

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Abstract

The physical properties and dimensions of foliage are necessary inputs for some fire spread models. Currently, almost no data exist on these plant characteristics to fill this need. In this report, we measured the physical properties and dimensions of the foliage from 10 live shrub and conifer fuels throughout a 1-year period. We developed models to predict relative moisture content, apparent density, length, width, needle length, thickness, stem diameter, and surface area. Seasonal variability of the response variables was found to be adequately explained with a single model, so season-specific models or models with a seasonal parameter were unnecessary.

Keywords

Fuel element properties, live fuels, growth patterns, wildland fire, wildfire, Adenostoma fasciculatum, Arctostaphylos glandulosa, Artemisia tridentata, Ceanothus crassifolius, Ilex glabra, Lyonia lucida, Pinus clausa, Pinus contorta, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Quercus gambelii

Citation

Gallacher, Jonathan R.; Fletcher, Thomas H.; Lansinger, Victoria; Hansen, Sydney; Ellsworth, Taylor; Weise, David R. 2017. Physical characteristics of shrub and conifer fuels for fire behavior models. Res. Pap. PSW-RP-269. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. 43 p.