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Author(s):
Martin E. Alexander
Year Published:

Cataloging Information

Topic(s):
Fire Behavior
Fire Prediction
Simulation Modeling
Ecosystem(s):
Subalpine wet spruce-fir forest, Subalpine dry spruce-fir forest, Montane wet mixed-conifer forest, Montane dry mixed-conifer forest

NRFSN number: 11518
FRAMES RCS number: 13422
Record updated:

There are many descriptors or characteristics of free-burning wildland fire behavior that relate to five distinct impact zones: (i) around the flames; (ii) below the flames; (iii) in the flames; (iv) above the flames; and (v) behind the flames. These include, but are not limited to, flame front dimensions (length, height and depth), linear rate of advance, fireline intensity, flaming residence and smouldering or burn-out times, and type of fire (ground, surface, crown). Such descriptors determine the immediate physical or acute impacts of fire which give rise to ecological effects. For example, the temperature profile in the thermal or convective plume above a surface fire will dictate the height of crown scorch that in turn determines the probability of tree mortality. To further illustrate the prospects for biophysical fire effects modelling, the case of serotinous cone opening in jack pine and lodgepole pine forests will be examined in this seminar presentation.

Citation

Alexander, Martin E. 2012. On linking the impacts and effects of wildland fires to their behavior. Quinney College of Natural Resources Seminar Series; Utah State University; 2012 October 31; Logan, UT.

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