Fuel Models and Fire Potential From Satellite and Surface Observations

1998 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 159 ◽  
Author(s):  
RE Burgan ◽  
RW Klaver ◽  
JM Klaver

A national 1-km resolution fire danger fuel model map was derived through use of previously mapped land cover classes and ecoregions, and extensive ground sample data, then refined through review by fire managers familiar with various portions of the U.S. The fuel model map will be used in the next generation fire danger rating system for the U.S., but it also made possible immediate development of a satellite and ground based fire potential index map. The inputs and algorithm of the fire potential index are presented, along with a case study of the correlation between the fire potential index and fire occurrence in California and Nevada. Application of the fire potential index in the Mediterranean ecosystems of Spain, Chile, and Mexico will be tested.

2007 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 563 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bachisio Arca ◽  
P. Duce ◽  
M. Laconi ◽  
G. Pellizzaro ◽  
M. Salis ◽  
...  

In the last two decades, several models were developed to provide temporal and spatial variations of fire spread and behaviour. The most common models (i.e. BEHAVE and FARSITE) are based on Rothermel's original fire spread equation and describe fire spread and behaviour taking into account the influences of fuels, terrain and weather conditions. The use of FARSITE on areas different from those where the simulator was originally developed requires a local calibration to produce reliable results. This is particularly true for Mediterranean ecosystems, where plant communities are characterised by high specific and structural heterogeneity and complexity. To perform FARSITE calibration, an appropriate fuel model or the development of a specific custom fuel model is needed. In this study, FARSITE was employed to simulate three fire events in Mediterranean areas using different fuel models and meteorological input data, and the accuracy of results was analysed. A custom fuel model designed and developed for shrubland vegetation (maquis) provided realistic values of rate of spread, when compared with estimated values obtained using standard fuel models. Our results confirm that the use of both wind field data and appropriate custom fuel models are crucial to obtain reasonable simulations of wildfire events occurring on Mediterranean vegetation during the drought season.


2003 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia L. Andrews ◽  
Don O. Loftsgaarden ◽  
Larry S. Bradshaw

Methods are presented for analysing the relationship between fire danger rating indexes and fire activity as a means of evaluating the performance of fire danger rating systems. Percentile analysis is used to examine the data itself; logistic regression provides a means for statistical analysis. Ranking of selected items indicates indexes that deserve further assessment using subjective considerations. Methods rely on generally available data: the fire danger index for every day in the fire season, fire discovery date, and final fire size. For logistic regression analysis, the independent variable is the index, and dependent variables are fire-day, large-fire-day, and multiple-fire-day. Data analysis methods have been incorporated into the FireFamily Plus computer program for easy application. Potential uses of the analysis include choosing the most appropriate fire danger index and fuel model for an area, evaluating proposed changes to a fire danger rating system, and assessing the performance of a system in a location other than that for which it was designed. As a demonstration, this technique was applied to evaluation of several indexes and fuel models of the U.S. National Fire Danger Rating System on the Tonto National Forest in Arizona, USA, using fire and weather data for 1974–2001.


1992 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Block

Abstract: This paper attempts to unravel the very complex issue of balance first by addressing its historical and theoretical contexts. Then the coverage of the U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is used as a case study. Résumé: Dans cet article l'auteur s'applique à décortiquer la complexité de la controverse notion de "balance'' dans la couverture médiatique. Il la place d'abord dans son contexte historique et théorique. Il s'appuie, ensuite, comme exemple, sur le suivi que les médias ont fait autour des pourparlers et de l'entente du libre-échange entre le Canada et les États-Unis.


2021 ◽  
pp. tobaccocontrol-2020-056145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ollie Ganz ◽  
Mary Hrywna ◽  
Kevin R J Schroth ◽  
Cristine D Delnevo

In 2009, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (TCA) granted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory authority over tobacco products, although initially this only included cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and roll-your-own tobacco. In 2016, the deeming rule extended regulatory authority to include all tobacco products, including cigars. The deeming rule prohibited the introduction of new tobacco products into the marketplace without proper marketing authorisation and laid out pathways for tobacco companies to follow. The deeming rule should have frozen the cigar marketplace in 2016. In this paper, we describe how the cigarillo marketplace, nevertheless, continues to diversify with new brands, flavors, styles and packaging sizes entering the market regularly. As an example, we highlight recent promotional efforts by Swedish Match North America (Swedish Match) for their popular cigarillo brands, including White Owl, Night Owl and Garcia y Vega’s Game brand. We argue that ambiguities in the TCA make it unclear whether Swedish Match’s seemingly new cigarillos fit the definition of new tobacco products and, if so, whether they are on the market legally. Swedish Match and other cigarillo companies may be taking advantage of these ambiguities to promote a variety of cigarillo flavors and styles in innovative ways. Given that cigars are combustible tobacco products that pose many of the same risks as cigarettes, this business practice raises significant concerns regarding the protection of public health, particularly among young people.


JOM ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 66 (5) ◽  
pp. 823-832 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerardo R. F. Alvear Flores ◽  
Stanko Nikolic ◽  
Phillip J. Mackey
Keyword(s):  

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