Prediction of Ignition and Fuel Flammability and Temporal Variation of Fuel Moisture

BIANCHI, LUCAS O.; TODONE, J. F.; DEFOSSÉ, GUILLERMO EMILIO

Puerto Madryn

Congreso; 5th Plenary Meeting & 1er Simposio Sudamericano sobre Ecología y Manejo del Fuego; 2009

CIEFAP

Fuel Moisture Content (FMC) is a critical parameter that affects fire behaviour. Besides, the FMC, or its estimation, is a main component of most fire danger rating systems and is also required for prescribed burning planning and for suppression activities. One of these systems, the Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index (FWI) is starting to be used and adapted to the Argentine ecosystems. The FWI is calculated from meteorological data, and one of its assumptions is that a relationship should exist beween FMC and FWI codes. In this study, we are aimed to determine FMC of dead and live fuels and its flammability in some important species of Patagonia, and to explore possible relationships among FMC of these fuels and FWI codes.