Abstract
Most studies on the effect of fuel moisture content (FMC) on forest fire behaviour focus on dead fuel moisture; mechanisms of fire spread in live vegetation are considered to remain unexplained by current theory and modelling. In this work, an empirical model for quantifying the effect of FMC on the ratio between spread rate and fuel bed height of fires in the absence of wind or slope was proposed. The model was fitted using data from laboratory experiments, carried out in fuel beds representative of natural litter and shrubland fuel complexes in a wide range of FMC (6–179%), and tested against data from field experiments and wildfires. The pattern of spread rate variation with FMC, namely its reduced rate for values above ~80%, was explained by the ratio between fuel low heat content and energy required for ignition.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
