Košická bezpečnostná revue (Jun 2021)
Influence of changes in meteorological conditions on the moisture content of dead fine fuel in the mixed pine forest
Abstract
The moisture content of fine fuels is one of the key indicators for assessing the danger of forest fires. It is the most critical factor influencing the ignitability of vegetation and fire behaviour. The aim of this pilot study was to determine the relationship between fine fuel moisture and weather parameters. The dependence was studied using data obtained during a field survey in a mixed pine forest in Slovakia. The Wiltronics fine fuel moisture meter ME2000 was used to determine the moisture content of the fine fuel. Statistical analysis of fine fuel moisture content and weather parameters data was provided. The results of the regression analysis showed that changes in weather parameters had a significant effect on the moisture content of fine fuels. The greatest influence on the moisture content in fine fuels had the combination of weather parameters, namely air temperature, relative air humidity, and wind speed. Here presented results of measurements were performed in the period without precipitation. Those will be supplemented with further measurements in the future and compared with existing data, continue previous measurements. Prediction of fine fuel moisture content through the models developed and presented here is the first step to understand how the fine fuel moisture content values are changing with changing weather conditions. These models should serve to fill the gap in the prediction of daily moisture content in fine fuel for forest areas in Slovakia and to the forest fire danger index itself.
