The likelihood of ignition of dry-eucalypt forest litter by firebrands
P. F. M. Ellis
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A CSIRO Ecosystem Science and CSIRO Climate Adaptation Flagship, PO Box 284, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia. Email: peter.ellis@csiro.au
B Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre, Level 5, 340 Albert Street, East Melbourne, Vic. 3002, Australia.
International Journal of Wildland Fire 24(2) 225-235 https://doi.org/10.1071/WF14048
Submitted: 4 April 2014 Accepted: 4 September 2014 Published: 12 February 2015
Abstract
Ignition probability of litter of dry-eucalypt forest by standard flaming and glowing firebrand samples was tested in a wind tunnel. Standard flaming firebrands were sections of bamboo sate stick 50 mm long, and flamed for ~9 s in still air. Standard glowing samples were sections of shed bark of Eucalyptus globulus 50 mm long, 15 mm wide and ~2 mm in thickness. These were burnt at their terminal velocities and at deposition had a mean mass of 0.2 g and would remain glowing for 2.5 min in wind. Ignition was tested using air speeds of zero, 1 and 2 m s–1, and oven-dried fuel moisture contents between 4 and 21%. For flaming samples, ignition probability was insensitive to variation in fuel and airflow characteristics and was a function of wind (no wind or wind) and fuel moisture content. For glowing samples, ignition probability was a function of fuel moisture content and wind speed. The models confirm the dominating influence of fuel moisture, are consistent with expert observations in the field and provide a practical measure of ignition likelihood by firebrands. It is argued that airflow turbulence and relative humidity are potentially significant for ignition by glowing firebrands.
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