FireBehavior-IowaStateNREM.ppt

* * * * * * * Concentrated vs. dispersed fuels * * BTUs, KJs * 1 chain = 66 ft * * * * * * * * FIRE BEHAVIOR Surface fire: Ground: Crown: Three types of fire behavior Fuels at or near the surface Subsurface organic fuels (duff, organic soils) Tree crowns Categories of fires according to human management action: Wildfire: Management ignited prescribed fire: Prescribed natural fire: Suppression action is taken Ignited to meet a management objective Allowed to burn under a management plan to preserve natural role of fire Fire Behavior: The Wildland Fire Environment Weather Topography Fuels FIRE Weather Components of the Wildland Fire Environment Temperature Relative Humidity Atmospheric Stability Windspeed and Direction Precipitation Topography Components of the Wildland Fire Environment Elevation Position on Slope Aspect Shape of Country Steepness of Slope Fuels Components of the Wildland Fire Environment Fuel Loading Size and Shape Compactness Horizontal Continuity Vertical Continuity Chemical Content Effects of topography on fire behavior. Fuel load Temperature Winds Moisture Effect of Aspect on Fuel Temperature and Moisture Wind Direction Fuels Transition Earlier Heating Earlier Cooling Generally Lee Side of Mountain Lightest Fuels Lowest Fuel Moisture Highest Temperature Earlier Curing of Fuels Earlier Snow Melt Fuels Transition Later Heating Later Cooling Generally Windward Side of Mountain Heaviest snows Highest Moisture Lowest Temperature Later Curing of Fuels Late Snow Melt Slope Affects Fire Behavior Preheating Draft Faster Ignition and Spread Burning Material Rolling Downslope Characteristics of Fire Behavior FIRE INTENSITY – Heat release per unit time (BTUs or KJ) Fire Intensity Affected by Fuel loading Fuel moisture content Compactness or arrangement of fuels Flaming Zone Flame Length Flame Height Spread Direction Rate of spread = distance/time Rate of Spread (ROS) The distance a fire travels during a given period of time. Burn