Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Abstract: A total of 28 line and 24 point-source fires were ignited under varying weather and fuel loading conditions in Anatolian black pine (Pinus nigra J.F.Arnold subsp. nigra var. caramanica (Loudon) Rehder) stands. Relationships between the rate of fire spread and fuel and weather conditions were determined with correlation and regression analyses. The rate of fire spread ranged from 0.12 to 1.20 m min^-1 in line fires. In the ignition, transition, and steady state phases of point-source fires, the rate of fire spread ranged from 0.04 to 0.78 m min^-1, from 0.11 to 0.59 m min^-1, and from 0.08 to 0.99 m min^-1, respectively. Surface fuel loading ranged from 1.27 to 2.45 kg m^-2 for line fire and from 1.56 to 2.67 kg m^-2 for point-source fire. The results showed that the rate of fire spread was closely related to wind speed and fuel moisture content for line and point-source fires. The linear prediction for wind conditions estimates that equilibrium spread rates may be achieved within 25 min after the ignition of point-source fires.

Key Words: Fire growth, line fire, point fire, litter fuel, black pine