Spectroscopic measurement of ignition parameters in forest fuel

Abstract

Fuel Moisture Content (FMC) and leaf biochemical compounds are parameters used to determine forest ignition and can be obtained by the use of different methods, included optical and chemical techniques. Chemical techniques require approximately 20 hours to determine forest fuel chemical compounds and FMC. In contrast, optical techniques need a few minutes to know the FMC. However, with this is not possible to determine the chemical compounds without a previous treatment. PROSPECT is a radiative transfer model technique to describe reflectance and transmittance of leaves. Using visual and near infrared (Vis-NIR) spectroscopy, the specific absorption coefficient of leaf extract is obtained. This is used as a parameter for invert PROSPECT model and quantify resins, oils and waxes which constitute forest fuel. This research will give the basis for remote Vis-NIR spectroscopy using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for a dynamical ignition parameters acquisition.