Upscaling the estimation of surface-fire rate of spread in maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) forest

Abstract

The prediction of the forward rate of forest fire spread is crucial to fire modeling and fire management. An empirical equation is available to estimate the rate of spread of surface fires in maritime pine stands from local fuel, terrain and weather conditions. However, the equation was primarily developed from experimental small fires under mild weather conditions. The ability to predict the spread rate of wildfires is examined. Underestimation was generalized, with a mean observed-to-predicted spread rate ratio of 2.64, which is proposed to adjust the rate of spread equation for fire-modelling research applications. © SISEF.