Modeling Mediterranean forest fuels by integrating field data and mapping tools

Abstract

Fire behavior modeling systems are important in predicting wildfire risk, fire growth, and fire effects. However, simulation software requires a new fuel modeling to include fuel treatments, prescribed fire and the transition to crown fire. The thirteen Rothermel models are insufficient in completely representing Mediterranean ecosystems. In this sense, the new American modeling includes five fuel types, requiring the acquisition of hybrid models made up of the mixture of grass and shrub and the grass or shrub mixed with litter from forest canopy. Respecting meteorological conditions and shrub characteristics, field studies have shown significant differences between American and Mediterranean models. As a consequence, the definition of new Mediterranean models requires the adjustment of specific parameters such as fuel load by category (live and dead) and particle size class (1-, 10- and 100-h time-lag), fuelbed depth and surface area-to-volume ratio. These new parameters were obtained in situ of sample itineraries, prescribed fires, and forest fires. The availability of this new modeling, validated on a field of regional scale, will facilitate preventive planning and management as well as an efficient application of suppression techniques, both ground and aerial operations, required in defending a territory against forest fires.