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International Journal of Wildland Fire International Journal of Wildland Fire Society
Journal of the International Association of Wildland Fire
International Journal of Wildland Fire

International Journal of Wildland Fire

Volume 22 Number 4 2013


A review of the literature suggests at best a minor effect of live foliar moisture on the spread rate of crowning fires in conifer forests and shrublands. None of the present model functions used to adjust the spread rate for the relative effect of live foliar moisture are considered satisfactory, including application to dead foliage.

WF11045A cellular automata model to link surface fires to firebrand lift-off and dispersal

Holly A. Perryman, Christopher J. Dugaw, J. Morgan Varner and Diane L. Johnson
pp. 428-439

A cellular automata model integrating surface fire spread, firebrand lift-off and dispersal, as well as spot fire ignition and propagation was constructed to investigate spot fire behaviour. This study uses the model to examine how spotting under various environmental conditions may affect (i) fuelbreak jumping and (ii) the main fire’s rate of spread.


Through small-scale burning experiments, we determined the amplifying effect of fuel loading on fire behaviour and thermocouple probe temperatures at the surface of fuelbeds dominated by masticated saw palmetto and gallberry shrubs. Soil temperatures were also influenced by fuelbed properties; however, temperatures never reached 60°C as shallow as 2 cm beneath the masticated fuels.

WF10089The effect of leaf beetle herbivory on the fire behaviour of tamarisk (Tamarix ramosissima Lebed.)

Gail M. Drus, Tom L. Dudley, Matt L. Brooks and J. R. Matchett
pp. 446-458

Fire behaviour at two sites was moderately enhanced by the desiccation of tamarisk (Tamarix spp.), a flammable invasive tree, in one case from herbivory by the tamarisk leaf beetle (Diorhabda carinulata Desbrocher), and another in which herbivory was simulated with herbicide. Physical characteristics and season had a greater influence on fire behaviour than did foliar desiccation at both sites.


Factors influencing lightning and arson ignitions were examined within the densely populated Sydney region of south-eastern Australia. Patterns observed were consistent with those reported for forested regions in the northern hemisphere. Climate change is likely to increase ignition frequency but population growth resulting in urban expansion is likely to have a greater effect.

WF12021An analysis of fire frequency in tropical savannas of northern Australia, using a satellite-based fire atlas

Sofia L. J. Oliveira, M. A. Amaral Turkman and José M. C. Pereira
pp. 479-492

Based on remote sensing data for the period 1990–2008, median fire intervals in tropical savannas in western Arnhem Land, Australia, ranged from 1 to 3 years. Closed forests experienced repeated fires within 4 years. Hazard functions were non-monotonic with peak values at 2 to 3 years. A discrete lognormal model is more appropriate than a Weibull model for fire frequency analysis in these tropical savannas.

WF12003On the relationships between forest fires and weather conditions in Greece from long-term national observations (1894–2010)

Nikos Koutsias, Gavriil Xanthopoulos, Dimitra Founda, Fotios Xystrakis, Foula Nioti, Magdalini Pleniou, Giorgos Mallinis and Margarita Arianoutsou
pp. 493-507

This study reports the relationships between forest fire activity and meteorological parameters in the eastern Euro-Mediterranean region through the analysis of long-term meteorological and fire data spanning more than a century. Outputs underline the effect of precipitation in fire spread by controlling both fuel production and fuel moisture.

WF12036Response of woody and herbaceous fuel to repeated fires in Mediterranean gorse shrublands

Victor M. Santana, M. Jaime Baeza and Rob H. Marrs
pp. 508-514

In Mediterranean gorse shrublands, total woody fuel diminished with repeated fires. In addition, there was no positive selection for elevated dead fuel since a second fire encouraged a community with less dead fuel. In contrast, herbaceous species were enhanced by repeated fires.

WF12063Soil water repellency persistence after recurrent forest fires on Mount Carmel, Israel

Naama Tessler, Lea Wittenberg and Noam Greenbaum
pp. 515-526

The study addresses long-term effects of single and recurrent fires on soil water repellency and organic matter content. Results indicate a significant prolonged decrease in water repellency following recurrent fires, depending on organic matter content. Soil organic matter can serve as an indicator for soil rehabilitation following recurrent fires.


Peavine Métis settlement, an Aboriginal community in Northern Alberta Canada, has a settlement-led wildfire mitigation program that includes both residential and community level activities. Local residents supported this program and engaged in additional residential mitigation activities. Residents’ wildfire experiences were found to encourage support for community level activities.

WF11060Assessing exposure of human and ecological values to wildfire in Sardinia, Italy

Michele Salis, Alan A. Ager, Bachisio Arca, Mark A. Finney, Valentina Bacciu, Pierpaolo Duce and Donatella Spano
pp. 549-565

We analysed spatial patterns of wildfire exposure in relation to key social and economic features on Sardinia. Historical data and wildfire simulations were used to estimate burn probabilities, flame length and fire size. Outputs were summarised for the features of interest, and related to spatial variation in fuels, ignitions, topography and weather.

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