TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2015//
TI  - The likelihood of ignition of dry-eucalypt forest litter by firebrands
JO  - International journal of wildland fire
A1  - Ellis, P. F. M.
SP  - 225
EP  - 235
VL  - 24
IS  - 2
N2  - 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.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1049-8001
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/WF14048
ID  - ref1
ER  -