Publication: Wildland fire risk classification of various tree species based on ignition characteristics, heat flux, and moisture content in China
Date
2024-07-01
Authors
Yang, Wenxu
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Abstract
Firebrands are a major source of ignition for wildland fires. In the study of predicting firebrand behavior in forest fires, existing studies of firebrands formation have been performed on the effect of limited moisture content and heating condition resulting in debatable and insufficient data in laboratory-scale or computer simulation model. Aim of this study is to investigate pyrolysis and flammability of selected wildland fuels in typical regions of China, together with other necessary parameters. Based on previous findings, seven flammable wildland fuels with high fire potential were selected. The pyrolysis and flammability performance of selected wildland fuels at different heating condition and with different moisture content was determined using thermal gravimetric analyzer and cone calorimeter respectively. Result found that: 1. Fuel property: the thickness and area were strongly affected by moisture content level; 2. Pyrolysis property: the heat conductivity coefficient increased with moisture content; 3. Flammability property: peak of heat release rate increased with moisture content, time to ignition decreased with heat flux, mass loss rate increased with heat flux, heat flux had little effect on efficient heat of combustion value. Fire risk classification was established for wildland fire prediction, specimen A and specimen B possess high risk for wildland fire compared to specimen C, D, E, F, G.