How to build a firebreak to stop smouldering peat fire: insights from a laboratory-scale study
Shaorun Lin A B , Yanhui Liu A and Xinyan Huang
A C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Research Centre for Fire Safety Engineering, Department of Building Services Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong, China.
B The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518057, China.
C Corresponding author. Email: xy.huang@polyu.edu.hk
International Journal of Wildland Fire 30(6) 454-461 https://doi.org/10.1071/WF20155
Submitted: 24 September 2020 Accepted: 9 March 2021 Published: 15 April 2021
Abstract
Smouldering wildfire is an important disturbance to peatlands worldwide; it contributes significantly to global carbon emissions and provides positive feedback to climate change. Herein, we explore the feasibility of firebreaks to control smouldering peat fires through laboratory-scale experiments. The dry-mass moisture content (MC) of peat soil was varied from 10% (air-dried) to 125%. We found that smouldering peat fire may be successfully extinguished above the mineral soil layer, even if the peat layer is not entirely removed. There are two criteria for an effective peat firebreak: (I) adding water to make the peat layer sufficiently wet (>115% MC in the present work); and (II) ensuring that the peat layer is thinner than the quenching thickness (< 5 cm). Criterion I may fail if the water table declines or the peat layer is dried by surface fires and hot weather; thus, satisfying Criterion II is more attainable. A sloping trench-shaped firebreak is recommended to guide water flow and help maintain high peat moisture content. This work provides a scientific foundation for fighting and mitigating smouldering wildfires and provides guidance about protective measures for field-scale peat fire experiments.
Keywords: underground fire, wildfire fighting, peatland, quenching, soil moisture profile, peat fire suppression.
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