Biomass Properties and Fire Prediction Tools

This review presents literature involving characteristics and fire behaviour prediction models for pine species. The first part analyzes experimental data for pine needles characteristics, and laboratory results for vegetation layer fire behaviour. The second part gives consideration to models used to predict surface fire behaviour. Also presented are approaches employed in describing the heating up, ignition and vegetation burning, and the effect of these processes on the flow parameters in the fire zone. Data for model verification is in addition submitted.

1. Biomass Properties and Prediction Tools for Vegetation Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fires
1.1 Overview
1.2 Research in the Field of Occurrence and Spreading of Forest Fires
1.2.1 Strengths and Weaknesses of Literature
1.2.2 European Programs
1.3 Fuel Particle Characteristics
1.3.1 Description of Fuel Properties
1.3.2 physical, chemical and thermal characteristics
1.3.3 Ignition Temperature and Flammability
1.3.4 Development of Fuel Models – Basic Characteristics
1.4 Theoretical Modeling of Fire in Vegetation Layer
1.4.1 Classification of Fire Behaviour Models
1.4.2 Empirical Models
1.4.3 Semi-empirical Models
1.4.4 Physical Models
1.5 Thermal Decomposition and Combustion of Vegetation
1.5.1 Thermal decomposition of vegetation
1.5.2 Combustion Process
1.6 Experimental Data for Fire Behavior Modelling Validation
1.6.1 Rate of Fire Spread and Flame Charakteristics
1.6.2 Temperature and velocity distribution for and above pine needles litter
Bibliography of items cited in the text

Author website
www.boboulos.org.uk