The Canadian versus the National Forest Fire Danger Rating Systems tested in Mediterranean forests fire Crete, Greece

Abstract

The Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System (CFFDRS) and the National Forest Fire Danger Rating System (NFFDRS) were exercised under the Mediterranean forest type conditions of Crete Island, Greece in 2008–2009. The CFFDRS shows a high association between the assessed values of the duff moisture content on one hand and the Fine Fuel Moisture Code and the Duff Moisture Code on the other hand. During the designated fire seasons, there was an insignificant association between the Fire Weather Index and the wild forest fires which are contrary associated with wildfire occurrences. Meanwhile, the NFFDRS showed monitoring capabilities but with the insufficient prediction of the daily fire danger in the Mediterranean forests. During the tested forest fire seasons, there was an unstable association between the burnt area and the fire occurrences. Consequently, there was no significant correlation between the CFFDRS and the litter soil content. Although, CFFDRS has a higher prediction accuracy of moisture content of some shallow roots annual plants within the studied area. The findings of the current research emphasized that there is no single system that is adequate enough for both soil moisture content and the annuals moisture content simultaneously.