Ruby O. Hoyland, Melinda T. McHenry, Erin A. Foster
{"title":"Fire and geodiversity","authors":"Ruby O. Hoyland, Melinda T. McHenry, Erin A. Foster","doi":"10.1071/wf23134","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wf23134","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Geodiversity elements contribute significantly to local and global hydrological, biogeochemical and ecosystem services and as such, fire is a potentially disruptive force with long-term implications. from limiting karstic speleothems formation, to compounding impacts of peat-fire-erosion cycles. Geodiversity elements additionally possess important cultural, aesthetic, and environmental values, including the support of ecosystem services. Hence, assessments of potential fire damage should consider implications for land users, society, and culture, alongside the geomorphic impacts on geodiversity elements. With a view to providing a concise set of descriptors of the response of geodiversity elements to fire, we qualify and in places, quantify, how fire may degrade geosystem function. Where possible, we highlight the influence of fire intensity and frequency gradients, and cumulative fire, in the deterioration of geodiversity values. Geoconservation is integral to protected areas with implications from fire effected geodiversity functions and values presenting issues for management, with potential consequences extending through to delisting, degazetting, and resizing of protected areas. Future research in reserve systems should concentrate on understanding the synergistic and compounding effects of fire on the geophysical landscape.</p>","PeriodicalId":14464,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Wildland Fire","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-04-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140596636","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gonzalo Severino, Andrés Fuentes, Alejandro Valdivia, Fernando Auat-Cheein, Pedro Reszka
{"title":"Assessing wildfire risk to critical infrastructure in central Chile: application to an electrical substation","authors":"Gonzalo Severino, Andrés Fuentes, Alejandro Valdivia, Fernando Auat-Cheein, Pedro Reszka","doi":"10.1071/wf22113","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wf22113","url":null,"abstract":"<strong> Background</strong><p>Wildfires have caused significant damage in Chile, with critical infrastructure being vulnerable to extreme wildfires.</p><strong> Aim</strong><p>This work describes a methodology for estimating wildfire risk that was applied to an electrical substation in the wildland–urban interface (WUI) of Valparaíso, Chile.</p><strong> Methods</strong><p>Wildfire risk is defined as the product between the probability of a wildfire reaching infrastructure at the WUI and its consequences or impacts. The former is determined with event trees combined with modelled burn probability. Wildfire consequence is considered as the ignition probability of a proxy fuel within the substation, as a function of the incident heat flux using a probit expression derived from experimental data. The heat flux is estimated using modelled fire intensity and geometry and a corresponding view factor from an assumed solid flame.</p><strong> Key results</strong><p>The probability of normal and extreme fires reaching the WUI is of the order of 10<sup>−4</sup> and 10<sup>−6</sup> events/year, respectively. Total wildfire risk is of the order of 10<sup>−5</sup> to 10<sup>−4</sup> events/year</p><strong> Conclusions</strong><p>This methodology offers a comprehensive interpretation of wildfire risk that considers both wildfire likelihood and consequences.</p><strong> Implications</strong><p>The methodology is an interesting tool for quantitatively assessing wildfire risk of critical infrastructure and risk mitigation measures.</p>","PeriodicalId":14464,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Wildland Fire","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140596638","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Heat input determines the response and rapid recovery of post-fire soil microbial biomass","authors":"Rong She, Rong She, Jing-Chao Li, Jing-Chao Li, Xin Zhang, Xin Zhang, Yao-Quan Yang, Yao-Quan Yang, Fa-Ping Zhou, Fa-Ping Zhou, Davide Fornacca, Davide Fornacca, Xiao-Yan Yang, Xiao-Yan Yang, Wen Xiao, Wen Xiao","doi":"10.1071/wf23095","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wf23095","url":null,"abstract":"<strong> Background</strong><p>The post-fire recovery of soil microbes is critical for ecological conservation, yet the mechanisms behind it are not well understood.</p><strong> Aim</strong><p>In this study, we examined the recovery patterns of culturable soil microbes following a fire.</p><strong> Methods</strong><p>A field experiment was conducted in which a forest soil was subjected to surface fire, and the culturable microbial biomass and soil physicochemical characteristics were evaluated 1 day after the fire, and subsequently every 10 days for 90 days.</p><strong> Key results</strong><p>Microbial biomass significantly reduced post-fire, with varying effects across microbial taxa and soil layers. The recovery patterns of microbial biomass at topsoil (0–10 cm) and subsoil (10–20 cm), and among different microbial taxa were also different and were determined by the residual microbiomes. Heat released during a fire (the combination of heat duration and temperature reached during treatment) was significantly related to the decrease and recovery of microbial biomass, whereas there was no relationship between soil physicochemical properties and microbial biomass recovery.</p><strong> Conclusions</strong><p>Soil microbial biomass recovered quickly post-fire, which can be mainly due to the rapid attenuation of heat along the soil profile. Heat released during fire was the key factor determining the residual biomass, and the residual microbiomes determined the recovery patterns of the various taxa that comprise the culturable microbial biomass.</p><strong> Implications</strong><p>Due to the complexity of natural fire, simulated fire experiment and systematic sampling based on space (soil profile) and time are crucial to investigate the dynamics of soil microbes post-fire.</p>","PeriodicalId":14464,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Wildland Fire","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140596748","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Grootemaat, S. Matthews, B. J. Kenny, J. W. Runcie, J. J. Hollis, S. Sauvage, P. Fox‐Hughes, A. Holmes
{"title":"Live trial performance of the Australian Fire Danger Rating System – Research Prototype†","authors":"S. Grootemaat, S. Matthews, B. J. Kenny, J. W. Runcie, J. J. Hollis, S. Sauvage, P. Fox‐Hughes, A. Holmes","doi":"10.1071/wf23143","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wf23143","url":null,"abstract":"Background The Australian Fire Danger Rating System program (AFDRS) has built a new fire danger rating system for Australia. A live trial of the system’s Research Prototype (AFDRSRP), based on fire behaviour thresholds, was run and evaluated between October 2017 and March 2018. Aims Live trial results are critically analysed, and knowledge gaps and recommendations for future work discussed. Methods Australian bushfire experts assessed wildfires and prescribed burns across a range of vegetation types and weather conditions. Forecast fire danger ratings calculated using: (1) AFDRSRP; and (2) Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI) and Grassland Fire Danger Index (GFDI) were compared against ratings derived by expert opinion for each evaluation fire (n = 336). Key results Overall performance of AFDRSRP was superior to the FFDI/GFDI system (56 vs 43% correct), with a tendency to over-predict rather than under-predict fire potential. AFDRSRP also demonstrated its value to assess fire danger in fuel types not conforming to current grassland or forest models; e.g. for fuels that were grouped to use mallee-heath, spinifex and shrubland fire spread models. Conclusions The AFDRSRP live trial was successful, outperforming the existing operational fire danger system. Implications Identified improvements would further enhance AFDRSRP performance, ensuring readiness for operational implementation.","PeriodicalId":14464,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Wildland Fire","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140372043","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Neil P. Lareau, Craig B. Clements, Adam Kochanski, Taylor Aydell, Andrew T. Hudak, T. Ryan McCarley, Roger Ottmar
{"title":"Observations of a rotating pyroconvective plume","authors":"Neil P. Lareau, Craig B. Clements, Adam Kochanski, Taylor Aydell, Andrew T. Hudak, T. Ryan McCarley, Roger Ottmar","doi":"10.1071/wf23045","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wf23045","url":null,"abstract":"<strong> Background</strong><p>There is an ongoing need for improved understanding of wildfire plume dynamics.</p><strong> Aims</strong><p>To improve process-level understanding of wildfire plume dynamics including strong (>10 m s<sup>−1</sup>) fire-generated winds and pyrocumulus (pyroCu) development.</p><strong> Methods</strong><p>Ka-band Doppler radar and two Doppler lidars were used to quantify plume dynamics during a high-intensity prescribed fire and airborne laser scanning (ALS) to quantify the fuel consumption.</p><strong> Key results</strong><p>We document the development of a strongly rotating (>10 m s<sup>−1</sup>) pyroCu-topped plume reaching 10 km. Plume rotation develops during merging of discrete plume elements and is characterised by inflow and rotational winds an order of magnitude stronger than the ambient flow. Deep pyroCu is initiated after a sequence of plume-deepening events that push the plume top above its condensation level. The pyroCu exhibits a strong central updraft (~35 m s<sup>−1</sup>) flanked by mechanically and evaporative forced downdrafts. The downdrafts do not reach the surface and have no impact on fire behaviour. ALS data show plume development is linked to large fuel consumption (~20 kg m<sup>−2</sup>).</p><strong> Conclusions</strong><p>Interactions between discrete plume elements contributed to plume rotation and large fuel consumption led to strong updrafts triggering deep pyroCu.</p><strong> Implications</strong><p>These results identify conditions conducive to strong plume rotation and deep pyroCu initiation.</p>","PeriodicalId":14464,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Wildland Fire","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140322514","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Sauvage, P. Fox‐Hughes, S. Matthews, B. J. Kenny, J. J. Hollis, S. Grootemaat, J. W. Runcie, A. Holmes, R. M. B. Harris, P. T. Love, G. Williamson
{"title":"Australian Fire Danger Rating System Research Prototype: a climatology†","authors":"S. Sauvage, P. Fox‐Hughes, S. Matthews, B. J. Kenny, J. J. Hollis, S. Grootemaat, J. W. Runcie, A. Holmes, R. M. B. Harris, P. T. Love, G. Williamson","doi":"10.1071/wf23144","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wf23144","url":null,"abstract":"Background Historical records of fire weather phenomena provide valuable insights into spatial and temporal trends which can inform further research and are important tools for planning. Aims We outline a 19-year climatology of a Research Prototype (AFDRSRP), of the new Australian Fire Danger Rating System, documenting its spatial and temporal characteristics. Methods The analysis utilises the Australian Bureau of Meteorology’s high-resolution reanalysis suite (BARRA), together with fuel data provided by Australian fire agencies. We examine the spatial and temporal distribution of the AFDRSRP. Distributions are categorised by fuel type, analysing relative variability across time and space. Key results The results validate the broad behaviour of the new system and provide insight into the variation of fire danger throughout Australia, adding detail to the understanding of timing of peak fire danger both diurnally and annually. Conclusions While the AFDRSRP differs from the operational system in its fire danger rating categories and tuning of algorithms, it nonetheless provides useful insights into the operational implementation. Implications These results will be essential for planning during fire seasons.","PeriodicalId":14464,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Wildland Fire","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140223385","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Emma C. Underwood, Charlie C. Schrader-Patton, Allan D. Hollander
{"title":"SoCal EcoServe: an online mapping tool to estimate wildfire impacts in southern California","authors":"Emma C. Underwood, Charlie C. Schrader-Patton, Allan D. Hollander","doi":"10.1071/wf23033","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wf23033","url":null,"abstract":"<strong> Background</strong><p>Wildfires in Mediterranean-type climate regions have numerous impacts on the ecosystem services provided by native shrublands, however, quantifying these impacts is challenging.</p><strong> Aims</strong><p>We developed a reproducible method to quantify fire impacts on ecosystem services and created a tool for resource managers in southern California.</p><strong> Methods</strong><p>The SoCal EcoServe tool consists of two components: a desktop tool and an online mapping tool. We used the Alisal Fire of 2021 as a case study and quantified: aboveground live carbon storage using pre- and post-fire biomass data; water runoff, groundwater recharge and sediment erosion retention by integrating data on burn severity into hydrological and sediment erosion models; and estimated recreation services and biodiversity using pre-fire data.</p><strong> Key results</strong><p>We estimated the Alisal Fire resulted in an immediate post-fire reduction in carbon storage of 25%, of which 20% was estimated to be permanently lost. Water runoff increased by 21%, groundwater recharge 7-fold, and sediment erosion increased 24-fold.</p><strong> Conclusions</strong><p>The EcoServe tool provides an initial approximation of wildfire impacts that can support damage assessments post-fire, track carbon storage and help identify priorities for post-fire restoration.</p><strong> Implications</strong><p>We intend the tool to be used by USDA Forest Service resource managers of shurblands in southern California. However, it can provide the framework for future work in shrublands throughout the western USA.</p>","PeriodicalId":14464,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Wildland Fire","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140322461","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J. Hollis, S. Matthews, P. Fox‐Hughes, Saskia Grootemaat, Simon Heemstra, B. J. Kenny, S. Sauvage
{"title":"Introduction to the Australian Fire Danger Rating System†","authors":"J. Hollis, S. Matthews, P. Fox‐Hughes, Saskia Grootemaat, Simon Heemstra, B. J. Kenny, S. Sauvage","doi":"10.1071/wf23140","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wf23140","url":null,"abstract":"Background Fire danger rating systems are used daily across Australia to support fire management operations and communications to the general public regarding potential fire danger. Aims In this paper, we introduce the Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS), providing a short historical account of fire danger rating in Australia as well as the requirements for an improved forecast system. Methods The AFDRS combines nationally consistent, spatially explicit fuel information with forecast weather and advanced fire behaviour models and knowledge to produce locally relevant ratings of fire behaviour potential. Key results A well-defined framework is essential for categorising and defining fire danger based on operational response, the potential for impact and observable characteristics of fire incidents. The AFDRS is modular, supporting continuous and incremental improvements and allowing upgrades to components in response to new science. Conclusions The AFDRS provides a new method to estimate fire danger based on the best available fire behaviour models, leading to potentially significant improvements in the way fire danger is calculated, forecast and interpreted. Implications The Australian Fire Danger Rating System was implemented in 2022, the most significant change to fire danger forecasting in Australia in more than 50 years.","PeriodicalId":14464,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Wildland Fire","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140233111","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J. Hollis, S. Matthews, Wendy R. Anderson, Miguel G. Cruz, P. Fox‐Hughes, Saskia Grootemaat, B. J. Kenny, S. Sauvage
{"title":"A framework for defining fire danger to support fire management operations in Australia†","authors":"J. Hollis, S. Matthews, Wendy R. Anderson, Miguel G. Cruz, P. Fox‐Hughes, Saskia Grootemaat, B. J. Kenny, S. Sauvage","doi":"10.1071/wf23141","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wf23141","url":null,"abstract":"Background Development of the Australian Fire Danger Rating System began in 2017 with a project aimed at demonstrating the feasibility of a new fire danger rating system through a Research Prototype (AFDRSRP) that accounted for variability in Australian vegetation types, was nationally applicable, modular and open to continuous improvement. Aims In this manuscript, we identify and define transition points and categories for the AFDRSRP. We discuss user responses to the categorisation during a live trial evaluation of the AFDRSRP and reflect on limitations and potential improvements. Methods A review of available literature, broad consultation with stakeholders and reanalysis of fire impact data were used to determine suitable thresholds for categorising fire danger within the AFDRSRP. Key results Fire danger categories within the AFDRSRP reflect transitions in fire behaviour that result in application of different fire management strategies or are associated with variation in serious consequences and impacts. Conclusions The AFDRSRP incorporated the best available science, supported by a well-defined framework for categorising and defining fire danger making it suitable for application across Australian fire jurisdictions and range of fuel types. Implications The framework allows fire managers to assess the accuracy and appropriateness of forecasted fire danger.","PeriodicalId":14464,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Wildland Fire","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140233669","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sunniva Bloem, Alison C. Cullen, John T. Abatzoglou, Linda O. Mearns, Erin Belval
{"title":"Drivers of international fire management personnel deployed to the United States","authors":"Sunniva Bloem, Alison C. Cullen, John T. Abatzoglou, Linda O. Mearns, Erin Belval","doi":"10.1071/wf23093","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/wf23093","url":null,"abstract":"<strong> Background</strong><p>The rising occurrence of simultaneous large wildfires has put strain on United States national fire management capacity leading to increasing reliance on assistance from partner nations abroad. However, limited analysis exists on international resource-sharing patterns and the factors influencing when resources are requested and deployed.</p><strong> Aims</strong><p>This study examines the drivers of international fire management ground and overhead personnel deployed to the United States.</p><strong> Methods</strong><p>Using descriptive statistics and case examples data from 2008 to 2020, this study investigates the conditions under which international personnel are deployed to the United States and their relationship to domestic resource strain. Factors such as fire weather, fire simultaneity, and the impact on people and structures are analysed as potential drivers of demand for international resources. Additionally, barriers to resource sharing, including overlapping fire seasons between countries are examined.</p><strong> Key results</strong><p>The findings indicate that international personnel sharing is more likely when the United States reaches higher preparedness levels, experiences larger area burned, and when fires pose a greater impact on people and structures. However, overlapping fire seasons can limit the ability to share resources with partner nations.</p><strong> Conclusions and implications</strong><p>Understanding the factors influencing resource sharing can help improve collaboration efforts and enhance preparedness for future wildfire seasons.</p>","PeriodicalId":14464,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Wildland Fire","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2024-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140147674","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}