Document

Title

Standard fire behavior fuel models: a comprehensive set for use with Rothermel's surface fire spread model
Document Type: Report
Author(s): Joe H. Scott; Robert E. Burgan
Publication Year: 2005

Cataloging Information

Keyword(s):
  • conifers
  • croplands
  • dead fuels
  • dynamic fuel model
  • dynamic fuel model
  • fine fuels
  • fire behavior prediction
  • fire management
  • fire modeling
  • forest management
  • fuel loading
  • fuel management
  • fuel models
  • fuel moisture
  • fuel types
  • grasses
  • grasslands
  • heat
  • herbaceous vegetation
  • humidity
  • litter
  • logging
  • needles
  • overstory
  • precipitation
  • range management
  • rate of spread
  • shrubs
  • slash
  • surface fuel
  • surface fuels
  • understory vegetation
  • wildfires
  • wind
  • windthrow
Topic(s):
Region(s):
Partner Site(s):
Record Maintained By:
FRAMES Staff; https://www.frames.gov/contact
TTRS Staff; https://talltimbers.org/contact-us
Record Last Modified: April 10, 2023
FRAMES Record Number: 792
Tall Timbers Record Number: 23124
TTRS Location Status: In-file
TTRS Call Number: A13.88:RMRS-GRT-153
TTRS Abstract Status: Fair use, Okay, Reproduced by permission

This bibliographic record was either created or modified by the Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy and is provided without charge to promote research and education in Fire Ecology. The E.V. Komarek Fire Ecology Database is the intellectual property of the Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy.

Description

This report describes a new set of standard fire behavior fuel models for use with Rothermel's surface fire spread model and the relationship of the new set to the original set of 13 fire behavior fuel models. To assist with transition to using the new fuel models, a fuel model selection guide, fuel model crosswalk, and set of fuel model photos are provided.

Report:

Additional Materials:

Spreadsheets:

This spreadsheet is the 'original' spreadsheet produced so that you can make quick, simple comparisons of the new fuel models with each other and with the original 13 fuel models. Guidance for using the spreadsheet is included in the help file, linked below.

Although the original CompareModelsFour.xls spreadsheet continues to serve its purpose of simply comparing the fire behavior predicted for different fuel models, a few additional features are now incorporated into this 'S495' version. These added features include: the inclusion of fuel model numbers in addition to fuel model codes, the addition of a simple model of wind adjustment factor for each fuel model or for different canopy cover values, conversion of the X-axis to the 20-ft wind speed from the midflame height, and the inclusion of Rothermel’s crown fire rate of spread as a 'fuel model' on the chart. An intrepid user will also be able to add custom fuel models to the list.

Help File:

  • NewFuelModels.chm (17.4 MB - NOTE: if you download and open 'NewFuelModels.chm' but no content is displayed, close the file, right click on the file name or icon, select 'Properties', click 'Unblock', and then try opening the file again)

The help file describes characteristics of the new fuel model set, its development, and its relationship to the original set of 13 fire behavior fuel models. To assist with transition to using the new fuel models, a fuel model selection guide, fuel model crosswalk, and set of fuel model photos are provided. The content of the help file mirrors the related General Technical Report linked above.

The material presented is reinforced with a workshop section, which includes answers to frequently asked questions, a quiz, and practical exercises. This document serves as a self-study aid for learning to use the new set of fuel models, or can be used as part of a training course wherever a discussion of standard fuel models is relevant.

Power Point Presentation:

Online Link(s):
Go to the Pyrologix Downloads web page
Citation:
Scott, Joe H.; Burgan, Robert E. 2005. Standard fire behavior fuel models: a comprehensive set for use with Rothermel's surface fire spread model. General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-153. Fort Collins, CO: USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 72 p.

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