Heat Content Variation of Sierra Nevada Conifers

Abstract

A study of fuels of Siena Nevada conifer species showed that percent ash content, heat content with ash, and heat content without ash of needle and duff fuels significantly varied by species, fuel component, and developmental stage of the overstory. Ash and heat contents of woody fuels varied by species and fuel component but not by developmental stage. Bark fuels significantly differed by species, while no factor significantly affected cone fuels. Regional variation in ash and heat content was evident but small. However, the values reported here for heat content with ash for fine fuels averaged 2.50 MJ kg^-1 higher than the standard values used in fire behavior prediction systems. Using standard values can result in significant under predictions of fireline intensity of an average of 16 percent for all species of up to 47 percent for Pinus albicaulis.