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1.1 Explain The Difference Between Fire Intensity And Fireline Intensity

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1.1 Explain (using words) how each of these three is calculated and identify the primary variable(s) used in the calculations. Describe how these variables cause this influence.
Fireline intensity (IB) the rate of heat released over a set distance by the actively flaming front of the fire (kW/m). It is calculated by measuring the weight of the fuel burned and the rate of spread.
The equation is IB = w h R
“w” is the weight of the fuel consumed by the fire (kg m-2).
“h” is the low fuel heat content and is a constant. 18260 kJ kg-1 = h
“R” is the rate of spread (m-1 s-1).
The weight of the fuel and the rate of spread affect fire intensity by increasing or decreasing it, which in turn affects the fireline intensity. The heavier the fuel is, the more there is and the faster the spread therefore increasing both the fire intensity and fireline intensity. The lighter the fuel, the less there is and the slower the spread therefore decreasing both types of intensities.
Heat per Unit Area (HA) is the total heat released from a given area (kJ m-2). Heat per Unit Area is a measurement of rate of spread and flame length.
The equation is HA = (60 IB) / R
“IB” is the fireline intensity (kJ m-1 s-1).
“R” is the rate of spread (m-1 s-1).
Fireline intensity and rate of spread …show more content…

The fire intensity varies on the type and amount of understory growth and if there is build up of dead, dry material. In a Postoak stand with a grass understory fire intensity will be low and will not produce flame lengths long enough to scorch tree crowns. In a Postoak stand with a yaupon/juniper understory, the fire intensity will will be high and will produce flame lengths adequate enough to scorch tree crowns. In an open juniper stand within a grass matrix, the fire intensity will be low to medium depending on how tall the grass is and if there is a build up of dead, dry fuel under the juniper stands. There will be no crown scorching in juniper

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