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An efficient and comprehensive field protocol for assessing fuel characteristics for fire behaviour modelling in
Jennifer J Hollis1, Miguel G Cruz2, W Lachlan McCaw3,4
1Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Brain Street, Manjimup, WA 6258, Australia.
Methodsx
|June 10, 2025
Summary
Accurate fuel characteristic data is vital for Australian fire management. This study introduces a new protocol to quantify fuel strata, improving wildland fire predictions and remote sensing evaluations.
Area of Science:
- Forestry and Fire Ecology
- Wildland Fire Management
- Remote Sensing Applications
Background:
- Current Australian fuel inventory methods are subjective and lack accuracy for effective fire management.
- Accurate fuel data is crucial for quantifying fire risk, planning prescribed burns, and predicting wildland fire behavior.
- Existing methods do not meet the consistency and precision required for modern fire management applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a standardized protocol for quantifying fuel characteristics across various strata in Australian fire management.
- To provide accurate and consistent data for fuel strata including litter, dead suspended fuels, downed wood, live understorey, bark, and overstorey canopy.
- To develop a protocol that supports the creation of forest fuel dynamics models and validates remote sensing data.
Main Methods:
- Integration of destructive sampling for fine fuel particles (litter, dead suspended, live understorey).
- Utilization of the line intersect method for downed woody fuel characterization (diameter > 0.6 cm).
- Application of indirect double sampling techniques for estimating live understorey, bark, and overstorey canopy fuels.
Main Results:
- The protocol quantifies cover, height/depth, and mass for fine fuels (dead fuel diameter ≤ 0.6 cm, live fuel diameter ≤ 0.4 cm).
- It provides mass and size class distribution data for downed woody fuels (diameter > 0.6 cm).
- The method offers adaptable accuracy levels for diverse fire management needs.
Conclusions:
- The developed protocol provides objective and accurate fuel characteristic data essential for Australian fire management.
- Data generated will enhance the development of forest fuel dynamics models and improve remote sensing-based fuel assessments.
- This standardized approach addresses the limitations of current visual assessment methods, leading to more reliable fire risk predictions.
