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Background Information

Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index (FWI) System

Examples of Fire Behavior in Jack Pine Stands

During the 1974 fire season the Alberta Forest Service, the Canadian Forest Service, and three other federal agencies completed a short-term program of experimental burning in the jack pine forests of northeastern Alberta. A detailed account of the Darwin Lake Project, as it is commonly called, has been published by Quintilio et al. (1977).

Seven experimental fires were conducted on plots ranging in size from 1 to 3 ha over a wide range of weather conditions during a 2-week period. The results of the study confirmed the strong relationship that exists between the various aspects of fire behavior and the components of the Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index System.

The information and photos presented here were taken from Alexander and De Groot (1988).

FWI Examples

Select FWI value:

FWI 09 ----- FWI 09 FWI 14 FWI 15 FWI 17 FWI 20 FWI 24 FWI 34

Type of fire: Creeping surface fire

Description of fire behavior: Fire spread readily across litter and Cladonia when pushed by small gusts of wind. Flames exceeded a few centimeters in height only in the occasional small concentrations of woody fuels and in the lowest, lichen-covered dead branches of a few young trees.

References

Alexander, M.E.; De Groot, W.J. 1988. Fire behavior in jack pine stands as related to the Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index System. Canadian Forest Service, Northern Forestry Centre, Edmonton, AB. Poster with text.

Quintilio, D.; Fahnestock, G.R.; Dubé, D.E. 1977. Fire behavior in upland jack pine: the Darwin Lake Project. Canadian Forest Service, Northern Forestry Centre, Edmonton, AB. Information Report NOR-X-174.

FWI Summary

Data Sources and Methods for Daily FWI Maps

Last updated: 2006-07-08

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