Authors: Miguel G. Cruz¹; Martin E. Alexander²; Ronald H. Wakimoto³

Source: Forest Science, Volume 50, Number 5, October 2004 , pp. 640-658(19)

Publisher: Society of American Foresters

Abstract:

The unknowns in wildland fire phenomenology lead to a simplified empirical model approach for predicting the onset of crown fires in live coniferous forests on level terrain. Model parameterization is based on a data set (n = 71) generated from conducting outdoor experimental fires covering a significant portion of the spectrum of burning conditions associated with the initiation of crown fires. A logistic model is developed to predict the likelihood of crown fire occurrence based on three fire environment variables, namely the 10-m open wind speed, fuel strata gap (equivalent to live crown base height in some stands), estimated moisture content of fine dead fuels, and one fire-behavior descriptor–surface fuel consumption. The model correctly predicts 85% of the cases in the data set used in its development, and the receiver operating characteristic statistic is 0.94. The model is evaluated for its sensitivity to its inputs, and its behavior is compared with other models used in decision support systems to operationally predict crown fire initiation. The results of a limited test of the model against two independent experimental fire data sets for distinctly different fuel complexes is encouraging. FOR. SCI. 50(5):640–658.

Keywords: Forest fires; crown fire; crown fire initiation; crowning; experimental fire; fire behavior; fire-behavior prediction; logistic model; environmental management; forest; forest management; forest resources; forestry; forestry research; forestry science; natural resources; natural resource management

Document Type: Regular article

Affiliations: 1: Associação para o Desenvolvimento da Aerodinmica Industrial Apartado 10131 Coimbra Portugal 3031-601 Phone: +351-239-708580;pyro_, Fax: +351-239-708589, Email: gest@hotmail.com mica Industrial Apartado 10131 Coimbra Portugal 3031-601 Phone: +351-239-708580;pyro_, Fax: +351-239-708589, Email: gest@hotmail.com "> 2: Senior Fire Behavior Research Officer Canadian Forest Service Northern Forestry Centre 5320-122 Street Edmonton AB Canada T6H 3S5 Phone: 780-435-7210; Presently Senior Researcher FGRIC Wildland Fire Operations Group Hinton AB Canada, Fax: 780-435-7359, Email: malexand@nrcan.gc.ca 3: Professor College of Forestry and Conservation University of Montana Missoula MT 59812 Phone: 406-243-6201;, Fax: 406-243-4845, Email: wakimoto@forestry.umt.edu

Publication date: 2004-10-01

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