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Type: Conference Proceedings
Author(s): Miguel G. Cruz; Paulo A. Martins Fernandes; Martin E. Alexander
Publication Date: 2007

We describe the development of a model system for the prediction over the full range in fire behaviour in exotic pine plantation fuel types in relation to environmental conditions. The proposed system integrates a series of sub-models describing surface fire characteristics and crowning potential properties (e.g., onset of crowning, type of crown fire and associated rate of spread). The main inputs are wind speed, fine dead fuel moisture content, and fuel complex structure, namely surface fuel bed characteristics, canopy base height and canopy bulk density. The detail with which the model system treats surface and crown fire behaviour allows users to quantify stand 'flammability' with stand age for particular silvicultural prescriptions. The application of the model to a radiata pine plantation thinning treatment case study in Victoria is presented. The results highlight the complex interactions that take place between fire behaviour and attendant fuel and weather conditions. The structural changes introduced in the fuel complex by the treatment altered fire behaviour, but no definite reduction and/or increase in rate of fire spread was identified. The results illustrate the role that simulation models can play in support of silvicultural and fuel management decision making.

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Link to this document (257 KB; pdf)
Citation: Cruz, M.G., P.A.M. Fernandes, and M.E. Alexander. 2007. Development of a model system to predict wildfire behaviour in pine plantations. Pages 119-128 in: Programme, Abstracts & Papers of the 2007 Institute of Foresters of Australia and New Zealand Institute of Forestry Conference; 3-7 June 2007, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales. Canberra, Australia: Institute of Foresters of Australia.

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Keywords:
  • air temperature
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • CFIS - Crown Fire Initiation and Spread System
  • crown fire spread modelling
  • crown fires
  • dead fuels
  • fine fuels
  • fire intensity
  • fire management
  • fire models
  • fire weather
  • flammability
  • forest management
  • fuel loading
  • fuel management
  • fuel moisture
  • fuel types
  • moisture
  • onset of crowning
  • overstory
  • pine forests
  • pine plantations
  • Pinus pinaster
  • plantations
  • population density
  • ROS - rate of spread
  • size classes
  • surface fires
  • thinning
  • wildfires
  • wind
Tall Timbers Record Number: 21964Location Status: In-fileCall Number: Fire FileAbstract Status: Okay, Fair use, Reproduced by permission
Record Last Modified:
Record Maintained By: FRAMES Staff (https://www.frames.gov/contact)
FRAMES Record Number: 2224

This bibliographic record was either created or modified by Tall Timbers and is provided without charge to promote research and education in Fire Ecology. The E.V. Komarek Fire Ecology Database is the intellectual property of Tall Timbers.