Evaluating the 3-m tree crown spacing guideline for the prevention of crowning wildfires in lodgepole pine forests, Alberta
A 3-m between crown spacing is a commonly cited criterion found in the wildland-urban interface fire literature for minimizing the likelihood of a fully-developed crown fire from occurring in a conifer forest on level terrain. The validity of this general recommendation is examined here in light of...
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| Language: | English |
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Canadian Institute of Forestry
2020-07-01
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| Series: | The Forestry Chronicle |
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| Online Access: | https://pubs.cif-ifc.org/doi/10.5558/tfc2020-021 |
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| author | Martin E. Alexander Miguel G. Cruz |
| author_facet | Martin E. Alexander Miguel G. Cruz |
| author_sort | Martin E. Alexander |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A 3-m between crown spacing is a commonly cited criterion found in the wildland-urban interface fire literature for minimizing the likelihood of a fully-developed crown fire from occurring in a conifer forest on level terrain. The validity of this general recommendation is examined here in light of our current state-of-knowledge regarding crown fire propagation in relation to canopy bulk density. Given the characteristics of the overstory structure for 20 lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) stands located in Alberta, as sourced from the literature, the canopy fuel properties following a virtual thinning to a 3-m crown spacing and then to a targeted canopy bulk density of 0.05 kg/m3 were computed. On the basis of these computations, crown fire potential was then analyzed and interpreted. The conclusion reached is that, in the majority of cases, a less widely spaced stand would be adequate for preventing crown fire development in lodgepole pine forests. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a44cf28542b6428f96844cc1fc129d69 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0015-7546 1499-9315 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2020-07-01 |
| publisher | Canadian Institute of Forestry |
| record_format | Article |
| series | The Forestry Chronicle |
| spelling | doaj-art-a44cf28542b6428f96844cc1fc129d692025-08-20T03:39:29ZengCanadian Institute of ForestryThe Forestry Chronicle0015-75461499-93152020-07-01960216517310.5558/tfc2020-021Evaluating the 3-m tree crown spacing guideline for the prevention of crowning wildfires in lodgepole pine forests, AlbertaMartin E. Alexander0Miguel G. Cruz1R.P.F., Wild Rose Fire Behaviour, 180 - 50434 Range Road 232, Leduc County, Alberta, Canada T4X 0L1CSIRO, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia 2601A 3-m between crown spacing is a commonly cited criterion found in the wildland-urban interface fire literature for minimizing the likelihood of a fully-developed crown fire from occurring in a conifer forest on level terrain. The validity of this general recommendation is examined here in light of our current state-of-knowledge regarding crown fire propagation in relation to canopy bulk density. Given the characteristics of the overstory structure for 20 lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) stands located in Alberta, as sourced from the literature, the canopy fuel properties following a virtual thinning to a 3-m crown spacing and then to a targeted canopy bulk density of 0.05 kg/m3 were computed. On the basis of these computations, crown fire potential was then analyzed and interpreted. The conclusion reached is that, in the majority of cases, a less widely spaced stand would be adequate for preventing crown fire development in lodgepole pine forests.https://pubs.cif-ifc.org/doi/10.5558/tfc2020-021active crown firecanopy base heightcanopy bulk densitycanopy fuel loadcrown fire initiation and propagationfire behaviour |
| spellingShingle | Martin E. Alexander Miguel G. Cruz Evaluating the 3-m tree crown spacing guideline for the prevention of crowning wildfires in lodgepole pine forests, Alberta The Forestry Chronicle active crown fire canopy base height canopy bulk density canopy fuel load crown fire initiation and propagation fire behaviour |
| title | Evaluating the 3-m tree crown spacing guideline for the prevention of crowning wildfires in lodgepole pine forests, Alberta |
| title_full | Evaluating the 3-m tree crown spacing guideline for the prevention of crowning wildfires in lodgepole pine forests, Alberta |
| title_fullStr | Evaluating the 3-m tree crown spacing guideline for the prevention of crowning wildfires in lodgepole pine forests, Alberta |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluating the 3-m tree crown spacing guideline for the prevention of crowning wildfires in lodgepole pine forests, Alberta |
| title_short | Evaluating the 3-m tree crown spacing guideline for the prevention of crowning wildfires in lodgepole pine forests, Alberta |
| title_sort | evaluating the 3 m tree crown spacing guideline for the prevention of crowning wildfires in lodgepole pine forests alberta |
| topic | active crown fire canopy base height canopy bulk density canopy fuel load crown fire initiation and propagation fire behaviour |
| url | https://pubs.cif-ifc.org/doi/10.5558/tfc2020-021 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT martinealexander evaluatingthe3mtreecrownspacingguidelineforthepreventionofcrowningwildfiresinlodgepolepineforestsalberta AT miguelgcruz evaluatingthe3mtreecrownspacingguidelineforthepreventionofcrowningwildfiresinlodgepolepineforestsalberta |