What Is the Fire Danger Now? Linking Fuel Inventories with Atmospheric Data

Authors: Woodall, Christopher W.¹; Charney, Joseph J.²; Liknes, Greg C.³; Potter, Brian E.⁴

Source: Journal of Forestry, Volume 103, Number 6, September 2005 , pp. 293-298(6)

Publisher: Society of American Foresters

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Abstract:

The combination of forest fuel maps with real-time atmospheric data may enable the creation of more dynamic and comprehensive assessments of fire danger. The goal of this study was to combine fuel maps, based on data from the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the USDA Forest Service, with real-time atmospheric data for the creation of a more dynamic index of fire danger. Results indicated fuel loadings and moisture could be estimated for specific points on a meteorological modeling grid network (4 × 4 km; based on FIA's strategic-scale fuel inventory and atmospheric data) enabling the current assessment and 1- to 2-day prediction of fire danger as well as refined understanding of fire danger across forest ecosystems.

Keywords: fire danger; fine woody fuels; Forest Inventory and Analysis; mesoscale; environmental management; forest; forest management; forest resources; forestry; forestry research; forestry science; natural resources; natural resource management

Document Type: Regular article

Affiliations: 1: Research ForesterNorth Central Research Station USDA Forest Service 1992 Folwell Ave, St. Paul MN 55108, Email: cwoodall@fs.fed.us 2: Research Meteorologist North Central Research Station USDA Forest Service East Lansing MI 48823, Email: jcharney@fs.fed.us 3: Research Physical Scientist North Central Research Station USDA Forest Service 1992 Folwell Ave, St. Paul MN 55108, Email: gliknes@fs.fed.us 4: Research Meteorologist North Central Research Station USDA Forest Service East Lansing MI 48823, Email: bpotter@fs.fed.us

Publication date: 2005-09-01

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