Scorch height and volume modeling in prescribed fires: Effects of canopy gaps in Pinus pinaster stands in Southern Europe

Molina, Juan Ramón; Ortega, María Liliana Muñoz; Silva, Francisco Rodríguez y

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2021.119979

Cited by 14 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Using two different canopy heights in the simulation resulted in a step-like function of crown scorch height at between intensities of 550 and 775 kw/m. The effect of canopy structure, particularly canopy base height, was recently identified by Molina et al (2022) and agrees with the simulated results presented here where the lower canopy height results in lower crown scorch height. Nevertheless, the I 2/3 trend was still followed by both canopies, which suggests that while canopy characteristics may change the magnitude of scorch height, the trend between scorch height and I observed by Van Wagner holds at low windspeeds.…”

Section: Van Wagner Validationsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…The Van Wagner formulation that links fireline intensity to crown scorch height through buoyant plume theory is confirmed by empirical observations of crown scorch in prescribed and wildfire conditions e.g. (Saveland et al, 1990;Molina et al, 2022). Likewise, winds and fire weather that either drive intensity or effect buoyant plume dynamics are also noted to influence crown damage (Thompson and Spies 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 76%

“…Buoyant plume dynamics is a first-order process that determines the spatial patterns of heat transfer to the canopy that results in plant tissue damage. However, buoyant plume dynamics are influenced by canopy structure characteristics such as canopy base height and canopy gaps, which also have an observed influence on scorch height or percent scorch (Molina et al, 2022). This suggests that canopy structure, which is not accounted for in Van Wagner's empirical model, likely influences scorch height or percent canopy scorched.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluating Crown Scorch Predictions From A Computational Fluid Dynamics Wildland Fire Simulator

Atchley,

Hoffman,

Bonner

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Background Crown scorch – the heating of live leaves, needles, and buds in the vegetative canopy to lethal temperatures – is one of the most common fire effects shaping post-fire canopies. Despite the ability of computational fluid dynamic models to finely resolve fire activity and buoyant plume dynamics including heterogenous 3D distributions of forest canopy heating, these models have had only limited use in simulating fire effects and have not been used to evaluate crown scorch. Here, we demonstrate a method of evaluating crown scorch using a computational fluid dynamics model, FIRETEC, and validate this approach by mimicking the experiments that were used to develop Van Wagner’s 1973 crown scorch model. Results The average scorch height prediction from FIRETEC compares well with the empirical model derived by Van Wagner, which is the most widely used empirical model for crown scorch. We further find that the 3D buoyant plume dynamics from a steady and homogeneous idealized heat source on the ground results in a spatially heterogenous crown scorch pattern reflecting complex heating dynamics that are best represented by percent scorch rather than height of scorch. Conclusions The ability of the computational fluid dynamics model to capture variation in crown scorch due to 3D buoyant plume dynamics provides direct links between forest structure, fire behavior, and fire effects that can be used by forest managers and researchers to better understand how fires result in crown damage under various environmental and management scenarios.

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Section: Van Wagner Validationsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 76%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Evaluating Crown Scorch Predictions From A Computational Fluid Dynamics Wildland Fire Simulator

Atchley,

Hoffman,

Bonner

et al. 2024

Preprint

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“…WAF variation implies a change in fire behavior, mainly in spread rate, flame length and fire-line intensity. A change in rate of spread and flame length would promote a higher fire-line intensity (Byram, 1959), and therefore, a higher scorch height and damages to trees (Molina et al, 2022). The wind speed modeling is a very complex phenomenon (Moon et al, 2019).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some authors (Gillies et al, 2002) have even proposed differences between species, but they suggested that is not be large enough to have a practical implication. However, a simplified wind profile simulation assumes a constant sub-canopy WAF when canopy gaps and topographical position could increase wind speed due to Venturi effect (Molina et al, 2022). Therefore, WAF could be also affected by wind speed (Moon et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%