@article {bnh-1813, title = {The likelihood of ignition of dry-eucalypt forest litter by firebrands}, journal = {International Journal of Wildland Fire}, volume = {24}, year = {2015}, month = {03/2015}, pages = {225-235}, type = {Journal}, chapter = {225}, abstract = {

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{\textendash}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.

}, doi = {10.1071/WF14048}, url = {http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/114/paper/WF14048.htm}, author = {Ellis, Peter} }