Latitude Considerations in Adapting the Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index System for Use in Other Countries. Alexander, M. E. In Lawson, B. D. & Armitage, O. B., editors, Weather Guide for the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System, pages 67–73. Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Northern Forestry Centre.
Paper abstract bibtex [Excerpt: Introduction] Latitude, along with season or time of year, influences the effective day length [...] and thereby the amount of drying that occurs on any given day. For example, a day in June in British Columbia at 54° latitude has almost twice the drying power as a day in September with the same weather conditions [...]. [\n] In the development of the Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index (FWI) System, these seasonal effects were accounted for in the Duff Moisture Code (DMC) by an effective day length factor (Le) and in the Drought Code (DC) by a seasonal day length adjustment factor (Lf). Details regarding the derivation of Le and Lf were presented by Van Wagner (1970) and Turner (1972), respectively, and will not be covered here, except to say that the derivation of both factors was largely empirical, although for the DMC, “The daylength, varying with season, has an effect roughly proportional to three less than the number of hours between sunrise and sunset” (Van Wagner 1987). [\n] The FWI System was originally designed for the range of fuel and weather conditions found in Canada. However, increasing foreign use of the FWI System and the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System (CFFDRS) has dictated that certain international standards be established. The purpose of this appendix is to discuss how day length considerations in the calculation of the DMC and the DC should be handled for locations outside of Canada. [\n] [....]
@incollection{alexanderLatitudeConsiderationsAdapting2008,
title = {Latitude Considerations in Adapting the {{Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index System}} for Use in Other Countries},
booktitle = {Weather Guide for the {{Canadian}} Forest Fire Danger Rating System},
author = {Alexander, Marty E.},
editor = {Lawson, B. D. and Armitage, O. B.},
date = {2008},
pages = {67--73},
publisher = {{Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Northern Forestry Centre}},
location = {{Edmonton, Alberta, Canada}},
url = {https://tinyurl.com/qttjykz},
abstract = {[Excerpt: Introduction] Latitude, along with season or time of year, influences the effective day length [...] and thereby the amount of drying that occurs on any given day. For example, a day in June in British Columbia at 54° latitude has almost twice the drying power as a day in September with the same weather conditions [...].
[\textbackslash n] In the development of the Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index (FWI) System, these seasonal effects were accounted for in the Duff Moisture Code (DMC) by an effective day length factor (Le) and in the Drought Code (DC) by a seasonal day length adjustment factor (Lf). Details regarding the derivation of Le and Lf were presented by Van Wagner (1970) and Turner (1972), respectively, and will not be covered here, except to say that the derivation of both factors was largely empirical, although for the DMC, “The daylength, varying with season, has an effect roughly proportional to three less than the number of hours between sunrise and sunset” (Van Wagner 1987).
[\textbackslash n] The FWI System was originally designed for the range of fuel and weather conditions found in Canada. However, increasing foreign use of the FWI System and the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System (CFFDRS) has dictated that certain international standards be established. The purpose of this appendix is to discuss how day length considerations in the calculation of the DMC and the DC should be handled for locations outside of Canada.
[\textbackslash n] [....]},
isbn = {978-1-100-11565-8},
keywords = {~INRMM-MiD:z-MBDA6A6I,drought-code,droughts,duff-moisture-code,empirical-equation,fire-danger,fire-danger-rating,fire-weather-index,forest-fires,fuel-moisture,latitude,solar-radiation,wildfires}
}
Wildfire Effects on Water Quality in Forest Catchments: A Review with Implications for Water Supply. Smith, H. G., Sheridan, G. J., Lane, P. N. J., Nyman, P., & Haydon, S. 396(1-2):170–192.
Paper doi abstract bibtex Wildfires burn extensive forest areas around the world each year. In many locations, fire-prone forest catchments are utilised for the supply of potable water to small communities up to large cities. Following wildfire, increased erosion rates and changes to runoff generation and pollutant sources may greatly increase fluxes of sediment, nutrients and other water quality constituents, potentially contaminating water supplies. Most research to date has focused on suspended sediment exports and concentrations after wildfire. Reported first year post-fire suspended sediment exports varied from 0.017 to 50~t~ha-1~year-1 across a large range of catchment sizes (0.021-1655~km2). This represented an estimated increase of 1-1459 times unburned exports. Maximum reported concentrations of total suspended solids in streams for the first year after fire ranged from 11 to ∼500,000~mg~L-1. Similarly, there was a large range in first year post-fire stream exports of total N (1.1-27~kg~ha-1~year-1) and total P (0.03-3.2~kg~ha-1~year-1), representing a multiple change of 0.3-431 times unburned, while exports of 0.04-13.0~kg~ha-1~year-1 (3-250 times unburned) have been reported. , , and NH3/ concentrations in streams and lakes or reservoirs may increase after wildfire but appear to present a generally low risk of exceeding drinking water guidelines. Few studies have examined post-fire exports of trace elements. The limited observations of trace element concentrations in streams after wildfire found high levels (well over guidelines) of Fe, Mn, As, Cr, Al, Ba, and Pb, which were associated with highly elevated sediment concentrations. In contrast, Cu, Zn, and Hg were below or only slightly above guideline values. Elevated Na+, Cl- and solute yields have been recorded soon after fire, while reports of concentrations of these constituents were mostly confined to coniferous forest areas in North America, where maximum sampled values were well below recommended limits. Likewise, reported wildfire effects on dissolved organic carbon were generally minor and elevated concentrations largely reflected background conditions. Available cyanide concentrations in small streams may approach levels of concern soon after fire, but increases are likely to be of short duration. Post-fire concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in streams have been found to increase but remained within the recommended limit. Large increases in exports and concentrations of some constituents after wildfire indicate the potential for impacts on water supply from forest catchments. In response, various water treatment measures may be required and in the absence of adequate treatment facilities or alternative sources, water supplies may be vulnerable to disruption. ⺠Wildfire effects on water quality vary substantially. ⺠Large post-fire increases to sediment, nutrient and trace element fluxes reported. ⺠Wildfires may disrupt the supply of potable water from forest catchments.
@article{smithWildfireEffectsWater2011,
title = {Wildfire Effects on Water Quality in Forest Catchments: A Review with Implications for Water Supply},
author = {Smith, Hugh G. and Sheridan, Gary J. and Lane, Patrick N. J. and Nyman, Petter and Haydon, Shane},
date = {2011-01},
journaltitle = {Journal of Hydrology},
volume = {396},
pages = {170--192},
issn = {0022-1694},
doi = {10.1016/j.jhydrol.2010.10.043},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2010.10.043},
abstract = {Wildfires burn extensive forest areas around the world each year. In many locations, fire-prone forest catchments are utilised for the supply of potable water to small communities up to large cities. Following wildfire, increased erosion rates and changes to runoff generation and pollutant sources may greatly increase fluxes of sediment, nutrients and other water quality constituents, potentially contaminating water supplies. Most research to date has focused on suspended sediment exports and concentrations after wildfire. Reported first year post-fire suspended sediment exports varied from 0.017 to 50~t~ha-1~year-1 across a large range of catchment sizes (0.021-1655~km2). This represented an estimated increase of 1-1459 times unburned exports. Maximum reported concentrations of total suspended solids in streams for the first year after fire ranged from 11 to ∼500,000~mg~L-1. Similarly, there was a large range in first year post-fire stream exports of total N (1.1-27~kg~ha-1~year-1) and total P (0.03-3.2~kg~ha-1~year-1), representing a multiple change of 0.3-431 times unburned, while exports of 0.04-13.0~kg~ha-1~year-1 (3-250 times unburned) have been reported. , , and NH3/ concentrations in streams and lakes or reservoirs may increase after wildfire but appear to present a generally low risk of exceeding drinking water guidelines. Few studies have examined post-fire exports of trace elements. The limited observations of trace element concentrations in streams after wildfire found high levels (well over guidelines) of Fe, Mn, As, Cr, Al, Ba, and Pb, which were associated with highly elevated sediment concentrations. In contrast, Cu, Zn, and Hg were below or only slightly above guideline values. Elevated Na+, Cl- and solute yields have been recorded soon after fire, while reports of concentrations of these constituents were mostly confined to coniferous forest areas in North America, where maximum sampled values were well below recommended limits. Likewise, reported wildfire effects on dissolved organic carbon were generally minor and elevated concentrations largely reflected background conditions. Available cyanide concentrations in small streams may approach levels of concern soon after fire, but increases are likely to be of short duration. Post-fire concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in streams have been found to increase but remained within the recommended limit. Large increases in exports and concentrations of some constituents after wildfire indicate the potential for impacts on water supply from forest catchments. In response, various water treatment measures may be required and in the absence of adequate treatment facilities or alternative sources, water supplies may be vulnerable to disruption. ⺠Wildfire effects on water quality vary substantially. ⺠Large post-fire increases to sediment, nutrient and trace element fluxes reported. ⺠Wildfires may disrupt the supply of potable water from forest catchments.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-8259199,catchment-scale,forest-resources,integrated-water-resources-management,review,water-quality,water-resources,wildfires},
number = {1-2}
}
Estimation of Live Fuel Moisture Content from MODIS Images for Fire Danger Assessment in Southern Gran Chaco. Arganaraz, J. P., Landi, M. A., Bravo, S. J., Gavier-Pizarro, G. I., Scavuzzo, C. M., & Bellis, L. M.
Paper doi abstract bibtex Moisture content of live fuels (LFMC) is one of the main factors determining fuel flammability and, therefore, a key indicator of fire danger. In this study, we modeled the relationship between spectral indices derived from satellite imagery and field estimations of LFMC in the Chaco Serrano subregion; then, we analyzed the relationship between fire danger estimations based on LFMC calculations and fire activity. Empirical LFMC models fitted for grasslands, Chaco Serrano forests, and glossy privet forests may be considered very accurate R2 $>$ 0.80, whereas the model corresponding to shrublands still needs to be improved (R2 = 0.57). Monthly maps of fire danger reflected the occurrence of fires consistently during years of both high and low fire activity. Most fires occurred mainly in areas with high or extreme fire danger, demonstrating a clear relationship between LFMC and fire activity in the Chaco Serrano subregion. Our LFMC models may be useful to assess the spatiotemporal distribution of fire danger in the Chaco Serrano subregion using remote sensing data. The associated fire danger maps represent a valuable tool for improving decision making processes to organize early warning and fire suppression activities.
@article{arganarazEstimationLiveFuel2016,
title = {Estimation of Live Fuel Moisture Content from {{MODIS}} Images for Fire Danger Assessment in {{Southern Gran Chaco}}},
author = {Arganaraz, Juan P. and Landi, Marcos A. and Bravo, Sandra J. and Gavier-Pizarro, Gregorio I. and Scavuzzo, Carlos M. and Bellis, Laura M.},
date = {2016},
journaltitle = {IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing},
pages = {1--11},
issn = {1939-1404},
doi = {10.1109/jstars.2016.2575366},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1109/jstars.2016.2575366},
abstract = {Moisture content of live fuels (LFMC) is one of the main factors determining fuel flammability and, therefore, a key indicator of fire danger. In this study, we modeled the relationship between spectral indices derived from satellite imagery and field estimations of LFMC in the Chaco Serrano subregion; then, we analyzed the relationship between fire danger estimations based on LFMC calculations and fire activity. Empirical LFMC models fitted for grasslands, Chaco Serrano forests, and glossy privet forests may be considered very accurate R2 {$>$} 0.80, whereas the model corresponding to shrublands still needs to be improved (R2 = 0.57). Monthly maps of fire danger reflected the occurrence of fires consistently during years of both high and low fire activity. Most fires occurred mainly in areas with high or extreme fire danger, demonstrating a clear relationship between LFMC and fire activity in the Chaco Serrano subregion. Our LFMC models may be useful to assess the spatiotemporal distribution of fire danger in the Chaco Serrano subregion using remote sensing data. The associated fire danger maps represent a valuable tool for improving decision making processes to organize early warning and fire suppression activities.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14143650,argentina,empirical-equation,live-fuel-moisture-content,mapping,modis,natural-hazards,remote-sensing,risk-assessment,wildfires}
}
Reframing Ecosystem Management in the Era of Climate Change: Issues and Knowledge from Forests. Mori, A. S., Spies, T. A., Sudmeier-Rieux, K., & Andrade, A. 165:115–127.
Paper doi abstract bibtex We discuss ” ecosystem management (EM)” to face contemporary climate change issues. EM focuses on sustaining ecosystems to meet both ecological and human needs. EM plans have been largely developed independent of concerns about climate change. However, EM is potentially effective for climate change mitigation and adaptation. We provide the principle guidelines based on EM to adaptively tackle the issues. Climate change is one of the significant concerns in land and resource management, creating an urgent need to build social-ecological capacity to address widespread and uncertain environmental changes. Given the diversity and complexity of ecological responses to climate change ” ecosystem management” approaches are needed to provide solutions for meeting both ecological and human needs, while reducing anthropogenic warming and climate-related impacts on society. For instance, ecosystem management can contribute to a reduction in the greenhouse gas emissions through improved land-use and reduced deforestation at a regional scale. Further, conserving and restoring naturally-functioning ecosystems, which is often one of the goals of ecosystem management can significantly contribute to buffering ecological responses to climate extremes such as droughts and wildfires. Moreover, ecosystem management helps build capacity for learning and adaptation at multiple scales. As a result, societies will be better prepared to respond to surprises and uncertainties associated with climate change. In this regard, it is imperative to reframe climate change issues based on the ecosystem approach. Although climate change and ecosystem management plans have largely developed independently, it is now essential for all stakeholders to work together to achieve multiple goals. The ecosystem-based approaches can enable flexible and effective responses to the uncertainties associated with climate change. Reframing ecosystem management helps to face an urgent need for reconsideration and improvement of social-ecological resilience in order to mitigate and adapt to the changing climate. [Excerpt: Conclusion] Novel approaches underpinned by sociology, ecology and climate science are necessary to perform assessments that reflect the many roles that ecosystem management can play in mitigating and adapting to climate change. No single method and focal scale for addressing the effects or causes of climate change exists. Indeed, there are often trade-offs such as those between the goals of building resilience (learning from failure) and reducing vulnerability (minimizing failure) (Adger et al., 2008), suggesting some policies aimed at minimizing exposure to any hazards at the regional scale can potentially conflict with the proactive implementation of adaptive management at the local scale. In this article, we have discussed reframing ecosystem management as an effective way to address the uncertainties of climate change. It is therefore necessary to adopt flexible and robust management strategies that consider various scenarios, rather than adopting a single measure. Similar to climate change, which is intricately connected to other issues beyond physical climatic change, ecological issues are deeply associated with global issues. A number of environmental policies and plans have been historically developed with little consideration of climate instability. Among them, our attempt that integrates different management considerations into the common context lends a strong support for the objectives and approaches of ecosystem management as an effective tool to face climate change uncertainties. [\n] It is important for all stakeholders to work together to identity multiple goals. Ecologists need to address ecosystem processes and functions in the context of possible future conditions; resource managers and policymakers need to build capacity for learning and adaptation; and all stakeholders need to share a recognition that social-ecological systems are interacting not only with each other (social-ecological interdependence) but also with the climate system. In keeping with the view of Moss et al. (2010) that the future climate largely depends on the behaviour of global society, the fates of ecosystems will strongly depend on how human society faces climate change. In particular, there are still important gaps in the combined study of climate and ecosystem science that need to be addressed. At the time of UNFCCC meetings in Copenhagen in 2009, UNEP (2009a) stated that climate information, when coupled with other information such as ecology and socio-economics, should be centralized within policy formulation and decision making process for practical ecosystem management at local and regional scales with reasonable timescales of the next several decades. Bringing different fields together is essential to tackle future complexity. The constructive improvements that come from an ecosystem management strategy, as summarized in Table 2, has the potential to effectively fill the gaps among disciplines and stakeholders.
@article{moriReframingEcosystemManagement2013,
title = {Reframing Ecosystem Management in the Era of Climate Change: Issues and Knowledge from Forests},
author = {Mori, Akira S. and Spies, Thomas A. and Sudmeier-Rieux, Karen and Andrade, Angela},
date = {2013-09},
journaltitle = {Biological Conservation},
volume = {165},
pages = {115--127},
issn = {0006-3207},
doi = {10.1016/j.biocon.2013.05.020},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2013.05.020},
abstract = {We discuss ” ecosystem management (EM)” to face contemporary climate change issues. EM focuses on sustaining ecosystems to meet both ecological and human needs. EM plans have been largely developed independent of concerns about climate change. However, EM is potentially effective for climate change mitigation and adaptation. We provide the principle guidelines based on EM to adaptively tackle the issues. Climate change is one of the significant concerns in land and resource management, creating an urgent need to build social-ecological capacity to address widespread and uncertain environmental changes. Given the diversity and complexity of ecological responses to climate change ” ecosystem management” approaches are needed to provide solutions for meeting both ecological and human needs, while reducing anthropogenic warming and climate-related impacts on society. For instance, ecosystem management can contribute to a reduction in the greenhouse gas emissions through improved land-use and reduced deforestation at a regional scale. Further, conserving and restoring naturally-functioning ecosystems, which is often one of the goals of ecosystem management can significantly contribute to buffering ecological responses to climate extremes such as droughts and wildfires. Moreover, ecosystem management helps build capacity for learning and adaptation at multiple scales. As a result, societies will be better prepared to respond to surprises and uncertainties associated with climate change. In this regard, it is imperative to reframe climate change issues based on the ecosystem approach. Although climate change and ecosystem management plans have largely developed independently, it is now essential for all stakeholders to work together to achieve multiple goals. The ecosystem-based approaches can enable flexible and effective responses to the uncertainties associated with climate change. Reframing ecosystem management helps to face an urgent need for reconsideration and improvement of social-ecological resilience in order to mitigate and adapt to the changing climate.
[Excerpt: Conclusion]
Novel approaches underpinned by sociology, ecology and climate science are necessary to perform assessments that reflect the many roles that ecosystem management can play in mitigating and adapting to climate change. No single method and focal scale for addressing the effects or causes of climate change exists. Indeed, there are often trade-offs such as those between the goals of building resilience (learning from failure) and reducing vulnerability (minimizing failure) (Adger et al., 2008), suggesting some policies aimed at minimizing exposure to any hazards at the regional scale can potentially conflict with the proactive implementation of adaptive management at the local scale. In this article, we have discussed reframing ecosystem management as an effective way to address the uncertainties of climate change. It is therefore necessary to adopt flexible and robust management strategies that consider various scenarios, rather than adopting a single measure. Similar to climate change, which is intricately connected to other issues beyond physical climatic change, ecological issues are deeply associated with global issues. A number of environmental policies and plans have been historically developed with little consideration of climate instability. Among them, our attempt that integrates different management considerations into the common context lends a strong support for the objectives and approaches of ecosystem management as an effective tool to face climate change uncertainties.
[\textbackslash n] It is important for all stakeholders to work together to identity multiple goals. Ecologists need to address ecosystem processes and functions in the context of possible future conditions; resource managers and policymakers need to build capacity for learning and adaptation; and all stakeholders need to share a recognition that social-ecological systems are interacting not only with each other (social-ecological interdependence) but also with the climate system. In keeping with the view of Moss et al. (2010) that the future climate largely depends on the behaviour of global society, the fates of ecosystems will strongly depend on how human society faces climate change. In particular, there are still important gaps in the combined study of climate and ecosystem science that need to be addressed. At the time of UNFCCC meetings in Copenhagen in 2009, UNEP (2009a) stated that climate information, when coupled with other information such as ecology and socio-economics, should be centralized within policy formulation and decision making process for practical ecosystem management at local and regional scales with reasonable timescales of the next several decades. Bringing different fields together is essential to tackle future complexity. The constructive improvements that come from an ecosystem management strategy, as summarized in Table 2, has the potential to effectively fill the gaps among disciplines and stakeholders.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13912160,~to-add-doi-URL,adaptation,climate-change,climate-extremes,droughts,ecology,ecosystem,forest-resources,incomplete-knowledge,knowledge-integration,mitigation,uncertainty,wildfires}
}
Solar Radiation and Forest Fuel Moisture. Byram, G. M. & Jemison, G. M. 67(4):149–176.
Paper abstract bibtex A major contribution to progress in forest fire prevention and control during the past 10 years has been the development and widespread application of methods of rating forest fire danger. Fire danger rating systems are now in use in all the forest regions of the United States. They have been described by Gisborne, Brown and Davis, Curry et al., Matthews, Jemison, and others. Under each of these systems the major factors affecting fire danger are measured and the measurements are integrated by means of charts, tables, or some mechanical device into ratings, on a numerical scale, which are free from the serious errors common in estimates of fire danger based on personal judgment alone. The numerical ratings are usually defined in terms of probable fire behavior or of manpower required for suppression. They serve as a guide to efficient distributIon of fire-control funds and personnel. [Excerpt: Summary] Forest fire-danger rating systems, now in use in all forest regions of the United States, are based chiefly on measurement of wind and of fuel moisture. While many workers have investigated atmospheric and related elements that control fuel moisture, little research has be.en done on solar radiation and its influence on fuel moisture equilibria and rates of drying. With a view to contributing to the refinement of fire-danger rating systems and application of the ratings, a study of solar radiation and fuel moisture was begun in the southern Appalachians in 1938. [] A method has been developed whereby radiation intensity can be determined for any season of year, hour of day, slope, and aspect. Examples are given showing the widely different radiation intensities that are to be expected under different combinations of these factors even though atmospheric conditions are the same. The relation of solar radiation intensity to surface fuel moisture equilibria and, to a lesser extent, its relation to rates of drying have been established on the basis of theory and of data obtained by use of an "artificial sun" apparatus, a specially constructed weather synthesizer. This apparatus permits both field and laboratory observation of moisture equilibria and rates of drying under various combinations of radiation, Wind, and humidity. Formulae have been developed so that for any combination of air temperature, relative humidity, and wind velocity, equilibrium moisture content of forest litter can be derived for any season, slope, and aspect. These formulae can be used universally, provided radiation intensities are adjusted for latitude. [] The influence of wind on fuel drying is emphasized. In bright sunlight, contrary to popular belief, wind maintains levels of fuel moisture higher than those in calm air. The reason is that for fuels in the sun the wind's cooling action more than offsets its drying action. This is important in some regions where fuels are fully exposed to sunlight during the fire season. [] Fuel moisture equilibrium maps are presented showing variations with season, aspect, and slope that result from variations 1n radiation intensity alone. A table is presented showing differences in drying rates caused by differences in radiation.
@article{byramSolarRadiationForest1943,
title = {Solar Radiation and Forest Fuel Moisture},
author = {Byram, George M. and Jemison, George M.},
date = {1943},
journaltitle = {Journal of Agricultural Research},
volume = {67},
pages = {149--176},
issn = {0095-9758},
url = {http://mfkp.org/INRMM/article/14073812},
abstract = {A major contribution to progress in forest fire prevention and control during the past 10 years has been the development and widespread application of methods of rating forest fire danger. Fire danger rating systems are now in use in all the forest regions of the United States. They have been described by Gisborne, Brown and Davis, Curry et al., Matthews, Jemison, and others. Under each of these systems the major factors affecting fire danger are measured and the measurements are integrated by means of charts, tables, or some mechanical device into ratings, on a numerical scale, which are free from the serious errors common in estimates of fire danger based on personal judgment alone. The numerical ratings are usually defined in terms of probable fire behavior or of manpower required for suppression. They serve as a guide to efficient distributIon of fire-control funds and personnel.
[Excerpt: Summary] Forest fire-danger rating systems, now in use in all forest regions of the United States, are based chiefly on measurement of wind and of fuel moisture. While many workers have investigated atmospheric and related elements that control fuel moisture, little research has be.en done on solar radiation and its influence on fuel moisture equilibria and rates of drying. With a view to contributing to the refinement of fire-danger rating systems and application of the ratings, a study of solar radiation and fuel moisture was begun in the southern Appalachians in 1938.
[] A method has been developed whereby radiation intensity can be determined for any season of year, hour of day, slope, and aspect. Examples are given showing the widely different radiation intensities that are to be expected under different combinations of these factors even though atmospheric conditions are the same. The relation of solar radiation intensity to surface fuel moisture equilibria and, to a lesser extent, its relation to rates of drying have been established on the basis of theory and of data obtained by use of an "artificial sun" apparatus, a specially constructed weather synthesizer. This apparatus permits both field and laboratory observation of moisture equilibria and rates of drying under various combinations of radiation, Wind, and humidity. Formulae have been developed so that for any combination of air temperature, relative humidity, and wind velocity, equilibrium moisture content of forest litter can be derived for any season, slope, and aspect. These formulae can be used universally, provided radiation intensities are adjusted for latitude.
[] The influence of wind on fuel drying is emphasized. In bright sunlight, contrary to popular belief, wind maintains levels of fuel moisture higher than those in calm air. The reason is that for fuels in the sun the wind's cooling action more than offsets its drying action. This is important in some regions where fuels are fully exposed to sunlight during the fire season.
[] Fuel moisture equilibrium maps are presented showing variations with season, aspect, and slope that result from variations 1n radiation intensity alone. A table is presented showing differences in drying rates caused by differences in radiation.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14073812,disturbances,environmental-modelling,fire-fuel,forest-resources,fuel-moisture,modelling,solar-radiation,wildfires},
number = {4}
}
Interaction between Ash and Soil Microaggregates Reduces Runoff and Soil Loss. Thomaz, E. L. 625:1257–1263.
Paper doi abstract bibtex [Highlights] [::] An exploratory experiment was carried out using ash from a prescribed fire. [::] Interaction between the ash and soil microaggregates reduced runoff by 78%. [::] The ash–soil microaggregates interaction also reduced soil loss by 26%. [::] The ash treatment increased soil loss by 47% compared to the case of bare soil. [::] Fine particles at the topsoil do not necessarily mean the development of surface sealing. [Abstract] Areas subjected to fire have a two-layer system (i.e., ash and soil), which brings enormous complexities to hydrogeomorphic processes. In addition, the combinations of variables from the ash and the soil characteristics result in several possible two-layer system contexts. Here, the interactions among ash and microaggregates (i.e., ash placed over fine soil microaggregates) and their effects on hydro-erosional processes are explored. The ash was produced by an experimental fire and collected from a field managed by a slash-and-burn agricultural system. The design of the experiment included a strategy for considering combinations in which each of the various factors of interest, i.e., ash and microaggregates, was present or absent. In addition, the study searched for interactions between the two factors when both were present. In total, 600 g m2 of fine ash mixture ($<$0.250 mm), obtained from fire at different temperatures, and 90 g m2 of microaggregates was placed over a small splash pan (0.135 m2). Next, a rainfall of 56 mm h−1 lasting for 30 min was applied in four replicates for each treatment: 1) bare soil, 2) bare soil + microaggregates, 3) ash, and 4) ash + microaggregates. The interaction between the ash and soil microaggregates changed the soil hydrology dynamics, reducing soil moisture by 28% and surface runoff by 78%. The ash–microaggregates combination reduced soil loss by sheetwash by 20% and by rainsplash by 25%. Overall, the ash treatment increased soil loss by 47% compared to the case of bare soil. On the contrary, the ash–microaggregates interaction decreased soil loss by 26% compared to the ash treatment.
@article{thomazInteractionAshSoil2018,
title = {Interaction between Ash and Soil Microaggregates Reduces Runoff and Soil Loss},
author = {Thomaz, Edivaldo L.},
date = {2018-06-01},
journaltitle = {Science of The Total Environment},
shortjournal = {Science of The Total Environment},
volume = {625},
pages = {1257--1263},
issn = {0048-9697},
doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.01.046},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.01.046},
urldate = {2019-12-04},
abstract = {[Highlights]
[::] An exploratory experiment was carried out using ash from a prescribed fire.
[::] Interaction between the ash and soil microaggregates reduced runoff by 78\%.
[::] The ash–soil microaggregates interaction also reduced soil loss by 26\%.
[::] The ash treatment increased soil loss by 47\% compared to the case of bare soil.
[::] Fine particles at the topsoil do not necessarily mean the development of surface sealing.
[Abstract]
Areas subjected to fire have a two-layer system (i.e., ash and soil), which brings enormous complexities to hydrogeomorphic processes. In addition, the combinations of variables from the ash and the soil characteristics result in several possible two-layer system contexts. Here, the interactions among ash and microaggregates (i.e., ash placed over fine soil microaggregates) and their effects on hydro-erosional processes are explored. The ash was produced by an experimental fire and collected from a field managed by a slash-and-burn agricultural system. The design of the experiment included a strategy for considering combinations in which each of the various factors of interest, i.e., ash and microaggregates, was present or absent. In addition, the study searched for interactions between the two factors when both were present. In total, 600 g m2 of fine ash mixture ({$<$}0.250 mm), obtained from fire at different temperatures, and 90 g m2 of microaggregates was placed over a small splash pan (0.135 m2). Next, a rainfall of 56 mm h−1 lasting for 30 min was applied in four replicates for each treatment: 1) bare soil, 2) bare soil + microaggregates, 3) ash, and 4) ash + microaggregates. The interaction between the ash and soil microaggregates changed the soil hydrology dynamics, reducing soil moisture by 28\% and surface runoff by 78\%. The ash–microaggregates combination reduced soil loss by sheetwash by 20\% and by rainsplash by 25\%. Overall, the ash treatment increased soil loss by 47\% compared to the case of bare soil. On the contrary, the ash–microaggregates interaction decreased soil loss by 26\% compared to the ash treatment.},
keywords = {~INRMM-MiD:z-XNMZJEXD,brazil,data-uncertainty,erodibility,modelling-uncertainty,post-fire-impacts,runoff,soil-erosion,soil-resources,uncertainty,wildfires},
langid = {english}
}
Evaluating Post-Fire Forest Resilience Using GIS and Multi-Criteria Analysis: An Example from Cape Sounion National Park, Greece. Arianoutsou, M., Koukoulas, S., & Kazanis, D. 47(3):384–397.
Paper doi abstract bibtex Forest fires are one of the major causes of ecological disturbance in the mediterranean climate ecosystems of the world. Despite the fact that a lot of resources have been invested in fire prevention and suppression, the number of fires occurring in the Mediterranean Basin in the recent decades has continued to markedly increase. The understanding of the relationship between landscape and fire lies, among others, in the identification of the system's post-fire resilience. In our study, ecological and landscape data are integrated with decision-support techniques in a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) framework to evaluate the risk of losing post-fire resilience in Pinus halepensis forests, using Cape Sounion National Park, Central Greece, as a pilot case. The multi-criteria decision support approach has been used to synthesize both bio-indicators (woody cover, pine density, legume cover and relative species richness and annual colonizers) and geo-indicators (fire history, parent material, and slope inclination) in order to rank the landscape components. Judgments related to the significance of each factor were incorporated within the weights coefficients and then integrated into the multicriteria rule to map the risk index. Sensitivity analysis was very critical for assessing the contribution of each factor and the sensitivity to subjective weight judgments to the final output. The results of this study include a final ranking map of the risk of losing resilience, which is very useful in identifying the risk hotspots , where post-fire management measures should be applied in priority.
@article{arianoutsouEvaluatingPostfireForest2011,
title = {Evaluating Post-Fire Forest Resilience Using {{GIS}} and Multi-Criteria Analysis: An Example from {{Cape Sounion National Park}}, {{Greece}}},
author = {Arianoutsou, Margarita and Koukoulas, Sotirios and Kazanis, Dimitrios},
date = {2011-02},
journaltitle = {Environmental Management},
volume = {47},
pages = {384--397},
issn = {0364-152X},
doi = {10.1007/s00267-011-9614-7},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-011-9614-7},
abstract = {Forest fires are one of the major causes of ecological disturbance in the mediterranean climate ecosystems of the world. Despite the fact that a lot of resources have been invested in fire prevention and suppression, the number of fires occurring in the Mediterranean Basin in the recent decades has continued to markedly increase. The understanding of the relationship between landscape and fire lies, among others, in the identification of the system's post-fire resilience. In our study, ecological and landscape data are integrated with decision-support techniques in a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) framework to evaluate the risk of losing post-fire resilience in Pinus halepensis forests, using Cape Sounion National Park, Central Greece, as a pilot case. The multi-criteria decision support approach has been used to synthesize both bio-indicators (woody cover, pine density, legume cover and relative species richness and annual colonizers) and geo-indicators (fire history, parent material, and slope inclination) in order to rank the landscape components. Judgments related to the significance of each factor were incorporated within the weights coefficients and then integrated into the multicriteria rule to map the risk index. Sensitivity analysis was very critical for assessing the contribution of each factor and the sensitivity to subjective weight judgments to the final output. The results of this study include a final ranking map of the risk of losing resilience, which is very useful in identifying the risk hotspots , where post-fire management measures should be applied in priority.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-8804314,~to-add-doi-URL,array-of-factors,forest-fires,gis,greece,multi-criteria-decision-analysis,multiplicity,postfire-impacts,resilience,wildfires},
number = {3}
}
Synthesis of Knowledge: Fire History and Climate Change. Sommers, W., Coloff, S., & Conard, S.
Paper abstract bibtex This report synthesizes available fire history climate change scientific knowledge to aid managers with fire decisions in tile face of ongoing 21st Century cIimate change. Fire history and climate change mange (FHCCp̌hantom\\ have been ongoing for over 400 million years of Earth history, but increasing human influences during tile Holocene epoch have changed both climate and fire regimes. We describe basic concepts of climate science and explain the causes of accelerating 21H Century climate change. Fire regimes and ecosystems classification serve to unify ecological and climate factors influencing fire, and are useful for applying fire history and climate manage information to specific ecosystems. Variable and changing patterns of climate-fire interaction occur over different time and space scales that shape use of FHCC knowledge. Ecosystem differences in fire regimes, climate change and available fire history mean that using an ecosystem specific view will be beneficial when applying FHCC knowledge.
@article{sommersSynthesisKnowledgeFire2011,
title = {Synthesis of Knowledge: Fire History and Climate Change},
shorttitle = {Synthesis of {{Knowledge}}},
author = {Sommers, William and Coloff, Stanley and Conard, Susan},
date = {2011-01-01},
journaltitle = {JFSP Synthesis Reports},
url = {https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/jfspsynthesis/19},
abstract = {This report synthesizes available fire history climate change scientific knowledge to aid managers with fire decisions in tile face of ongoing 21st Century cIimate change. Fire history and climate change mange (FHCC\vphantom\{\} have been ongoing for over 400 million years of Earth history, but increasing human influences during tile Holocene epoch have changed both climate and fire regimes. We describe basic concepts of climate science and explain the causes of accelerating 21H Century climate change. Fire regimes and ecosystems classification serve to unify ecological and climate factors influencing fire, and are useful for applying fire history and climate manage information to specific ecosystems. Variable and changing patterns of climate-fire interaction occur over different time and space scales that shape use of FHCC knowledge. Ecosystem differences in fire regimes, climate change and available fire history mean that using an ecosystem specific view will be beneficial when applying FHCC knowledge.},
keywords = {~INRMM-MiD:z-VTUB7FXK,climate-change,ecological-domains,ecological-zones,fire-regimes,forest-resources,united-states,vegetation,wildfires},
number = {19}
}
A Proposed Method for Modelling the Hydrologic Response of Catchments to Burning with the Use of Remote Sensing and GIS. Vafeidis, A. T., Drake, N. A., & Wainwright, J. 70(3):396–409.
Paper doi abstract bibtex Forest fires can have significant effects on the hydrological response of catchments, resulting in many cases in severe land degradation, flooding and soil erosion. These post-fire hazards often cause extensive damage to public and private property and urban infrastructure, thus carefully planned and designed mitigation activities are required for reducing their magnitude. This study presents a method for the quantitative estimation and mapping of post-fire erosion and runoff, which can provide the basis for the planning of these mitigation activities. Within the context of the proposed method a soil-erosion model is integrated within a GIS and remote sensing and digital cartographic data are used for estimating the model parameters before and after the passage of the fire. The model incorporates the effects of fire on the parameters that control erosion using remotely sensed estimates of the characteristics of the fire, such as the temperature and the extent. The method was implemented in four regions in Greece where severe wildfires took place during the summer of 1998. Pre- and post-fire model runs showed significant changes in runoff and erosion patterns as a result of the passage of the fire and a notable increase in the spatial variability of post-fire erosion rates. Results indicated net increases of up to 0.76 × 10- 2 mm/h in erosion rates, although small decreases were also observed in some areas. The application of the method led to the identification of areas where erosion is expected to accelerate significantly and thus hazard-mitigation works are urgently required. The proposed method can clearly benefit from higher resolution remote-sensing data and more detailed datasets on soil properties and characteristics and is expected to provide a useful tool in planning and prioritising the works that are required for the mitigation of post-fire hazards.
@article{vafeidisProposedMethodModelling2007,
title = {A Proposed Method for Modelling the Hydrologic Response of Catchments to Burning with the Use of Remote Sensing and {{GIS}}},
author = {Vafeidis, A. T. and Drake, N. A. and Wainwright, J.},
date = {2007-08},
journaltitle = {CATENA},
volume = {70},
pages = {396--409},
issn = {0341-8162},
doi = {10.1016/j.catena.2006.11.008},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2006.11.008},
abstract = {Forest fires can have significant effects on the hydrological response of catchments, resulting in many cases in severe land degradation, flooding and soil erosion. These post-fire hazards often cause extensive damage to public and private property and urban infrastructure, thus carefully planned and designed mitigation activities are required for reducing their magnitude. This study presents a method for the quantitative estimation and mapping of post-fire erosion and runoff, which can provide the basis for the planning of these mitigation activities. Within the context of the proposed method a soil-erosion model is integrated within a GIS and remote sensing and digital cartographic data are used for estimating the model parameters before and after the passage of the fire. The model incorporates the effects of fire on the parameters that control erosion using remotely sensed estimates of the characteristics of the fire, such as the temperature and the extent. The method was implemented in four regions in Greece where severe wildfires took place during the summer of 1998. Pre- and post-fire model runs showed significant changes in runoff and erosion patterns as a result of the passage of the fire and a notable increase in the spatial variability of post-fire erosion rates. Results indicated net increases of up to 0.76 × 10- 2 mm/h in erosion rates, although small decreases were also observed in some areas. The application of the method led to the identification of areas where erosion is expected to accelerate significantly and thus hazard-mitigation works are urgently required. The proposed method can clearly benefit from higher resolution remote-sensing data and more detailed datasets on soil properties and characteristics and is expected to provide a useful tool in planning and prioritising the works that are required for the mitigation of post-fire hazards.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13313616,disturbances,gis,hydrology,remote-sensing,rusle,soil-erosion,soil-resources,wildfires},
number = {3}
}
Assessing Crown Fire Potential in Coniferous Forests of Western North America: A Critique of Current Approaches and Recent Simulation Studies. Cruz, M. G. & Alexander, M. E. 19(4):377+.
Paper doi abstract bibtex To control and use wildland fires safely and effectively depends on creditable assessments of fire potential, including the propensity for crowning in conifer forests. Simulation studies that use certain fire modelling systems (i.e. NEXUS, FlamMap, FARSITE, FFE-FVS (Fire and Fuels Extension to the Forest Vegetation Simulator), Fuel Management Analyst (FMAPlus®), BehavePlus) based on separate implementations or direct integration of Rothermel's surface and crown rate of fire spread models with Van Wagner's crown fire transition and propagation models are shown to have a significant underprediction bias when used in assessing potential crown fire behaviour in conifer forests of western North America. The principal sources of this underprediction bias are shown to include: [::(i)] incompatible model linkages; [::(ii)] use of surface and crown fire rate of spread models that have an inherent underprediction bias; and [::(iii)] reduction in crown fire rate of spread based on the use of unsubstantiated crown fraction burned functions. [::The use of uncalibrated custom fuel models] to represent surface fuelbeds is a fourth potential source of bias. [\n] These sources are described and documented in detail based on comparisons with experimental fire and wildfire observations and on separate analyses of model components. The manner in which the two primary canopy fuel inputs influencing crown fire initiation (i.e. foliar moisture content and canopy base height) is handled in these simulation studies and the meaning of Scott and Reinhardt's two crown fire hazard indices are also critically examined. [Excerpt: Summary and concluding remarks] The ready availability of a multitude of fire modelling systems in the US in recent years has led to their widespread use in numerous simulation studies aimed at assessing various fire behaviour characteristics associated with specific fuel complex structures, including the propensity for crown fire initiation and spread (McHugh 2006). The results of these simulations, often aimed at evaluating fuel treatment effectiveness, are in turn utilised in a whole host of applications (e.g. Scott 2003; Fiedler et al. 2004; Skog et al. 2006; Johnson et al. 2007; Finkral and Evans 2008; Huggett et al. 2008; Johnson 2008; Reinhardt et al. 2010) and thus have significant implications for public and wildland firefighter safety, community fire protection, fire management policy-making, and forest management practices. As Cheney (1981) has noted, 'The reality of fire behaviour predictions is that overestimates can be easily readjusted without serious consequences; underestimates of behaviour can be disastrous both to the operations of the fire controller and the credibility of the person making the predictions'. [\n] A critical review of several of these simulation studies, as documented here, has found that the results are often unrealistic for a variety of reasons. It's recognised that the authors of these studies commonly point out the limitations of the models and modelling systems being used through a customary disclaimer concerning the unknowns regarding crown fire behaviour (e.g. Stephens et al. 2009). Nevertheless, the fact that the fuel treatment evaluation studies referenced here are based on modelling systems that utilised model linkages for gauging potential crown fire behaviour that have not previously undergone any form of performance evaluation against independent datasets or any empirical observations should be of concern. There appears, however, to be an aversion within an element of the fire research community to do so (e.g. Scott and Reinhardt 2001; Scott 2006; Stephens et al. 2009). Nevertheless, such testing is now generally regarded as a basic tenet of modern-day model development and evaluation (Jakeman et al. 2006). [\n] Fire modelling systems like NEXUS (Scott and Reinhardt 2001), FFE-FVS (Reinhardt and Crookston 2003), FARSITE (Finney 2004), FMAPlus (Carlton 2005), FlamMap (Finney 2006), and BehavePlus (Andrews et al. 2008) that are based on separate implementations or linkages between Rothermel's (1972, 1991) rate of fire spread models and Van Wagner's (1977, 1993) crown fire transition and propagation models have been shown to have a marked underprediction bias when used to assess potential crown fire behaviour. What has been allowed to evolve is a family of modelling systems composed of independently developed, linked models that were never intended to work together, are sometimes based on very limited data, and may propagate errors beyond acceptable limits. [\n] We have documented here the sources of the bias based on empirical evidence in the form of published experimental fire and wildfire datasets. By analysing model linkages and components, we have described the primary sources of such bias, namely: (1) incompatible model linkages; (2) use of surface and crown fire rate of spread models that have an inherent underprediction bias; and (3) reduction in crown fire rate of spread based on use of unsubstantiated CFB functions. The use of uncalibrated, custom fuel models to represent surface fuelbeds is considered another potential source of bias. [\n] Our analysis has also shown that the crown fire initiation underprediction bias inherent in all of these fire modelling systems could possibly be rectified by modifying the method used to calculate the surface fireline intensity for the purposes of assessing crown fire initiation potential, namely using Nelson's (2003) model to estimate tr in place of Anderson's model (1969). Other modelling systems exist for predicting the likelihood of crown fire initiation and other aspects of crown fire behaviour (Alexander et al. 2006; Cruz et al. 2006b, 2008). Mitsopoulos and Dimitrakopoulos (2007) have, for example, made extensive use of this suite of models in their assessment of crown fire potential in Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) forests in Greece. These systems are based on models that have undergone performance evaluations against independent datasets and been shown to be reasonably reliable (Cruz et al. 2003b, 2004, 2006b; Cronan and Jandt 2008). Resolving the underprediction bias associated with predicting active crown fire rate of spread inherent in the Rothermel (1991) model would require substantial changes, including a reassessment of the use of a CFB function, if not complete replacement with a more robust empirically developed model (Cruz et al. 2005) that has been extensively tested (Alexander and Cruz 2006) or a physically based one that has undergone limited testing (Butler et al. 2004). [\n] Alexander (2007) has emphasised that assessments of wildland fire potential involving simulation modelling must be complemented with fire behaviour case study knowledge and by experienced judgment. This review has revealed an overwhelming need for the research users of fire modelling systems to be grounded in the theory and proper application of such tools, including a solid understanding of the assumptions, limitations and accuracy of the underlying models as well as practical knowledge of the subject phenomena (Brown and Davis 1973; Albini 1976; Alexander 2009a, 2009b).
@article{cruzAssessingCrownFire2010,
title = {Assessing Crown Fire Potential in Coniferous Forests of Western {{North America}}: A Critique of Current Approaches and Recent Simulation Studies},
author = {Cruz, Miguel G. and Alexander, Martin E.},
date = {2010},
journaltitle = {International Journal of Wildland Fire},
volume = {19},
pages = {377+},
issn = {1049-8001},
doi = {10.1071/wf08132},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1071/wf08132},
abstract = {To control and use wildland fires safely and effectively depends on creditable assessments of fire potential, including the propensity for crowning in conifer forests. Simulation studies that use certain fire modelling systems (i.e. NEXUS, FlamMap, FARSITE, FFE-FVS (Fire and Fuels Extension to the Forest Vegetation Simulator), Fuel Management Analyst (FMAPlus®), BehavePlus) based on separate implementations or direct integration of Rothermel's surface and crown rate of fire spread models with Van Wagner's crown fire transition and propagation models are shown to have a significant underprediction bias when used in assessing potential crown fire behaviour in conifer forests of western North America. The principal sources of this underprediction bias are shown to include:
[::(i)] incompatible model linkages;
[::(ii)] use of surface and crown fire rate of spread models that have an inherent underprediction bias; and
[::(iii)] reduction in crown fire rate of spread based on the use of unsubstantiated crown fraction burned functions.
[::The use of uncalibrated custom fuel models] to represent surface fuelbeds is a fourth potential source of bias.
[\textbackslash n] These sources are described and documented in detail based on comparisons with experimental fire and wildfire observations and on separate analyses of model components. The manner in which the two primary canopy fuel inputs influencing crown fire initiation (i.e. foliar moisture content and canopy base height) is handled in these simulation studies and the meaning of Scott and Reinhardt's two crown fire hazard indices are also critically examined.
[Excerpt: Summary and concluding remarks]
The ready availability of a multitude of fire modelling systems in the US in recent years has led to their widespread use in numerous simulation studies aimed at assessing various fire behaviour characteristics associated with specific fuel complex structures, including the propensity for crown fire initiation and spread (McHugh 2006). The results of these simulations, often aimed at evaluating fuel treatment effectiveness, are in turn utilised in a whole host of applications (e.g. Scott 2003; Fiedler et al. 2004; Skog et al. 2006; Johnson et al. 2007; Finkral and Evans 2008; Huggett et al. 2008; Johnson 2008; Reinhardt et al. 2010) and thus have significant implications for public and wildland firefighter safety, community fire protection, fire management policy-making, and forest management practices. As Cheney (1981) has noted, 'The reality of fire behaviour predictions is that overestimates can be easily readjusted without serious consequences; underestimates of behaviour can be disastrous both to the operations of the fire controller and the credibility of the person making the predictions'.
[\textbackslash n] A critical review of several of these simulation studies, as documented here, has found that the results are often unrealistic for a variety of reasons. It's recognised that the authors of these studies commonly point out the limitations of the models and modelling systems being used through a customary disclaimer concerning the unknowns regarding crown fire behaviour (e.g. Stephens et al. 2009). Nevertheless, the fact that the fuel treatment evaluation studies referenced here are based on modelling systems that utilised model linkages for gauging potential crown fire behaviour that have not previously undergone any form of performance evaluation against independent datasets or any empirical observations should be of concern. There appears, however, to be an aversion within an element of the fire research community to do so (e.g. Scott and Reinhardt 2001; Scott 2006; Stephens et al. 2009). Nevertheless, such testing is now generally regarded as a basic tenet of modern-day model development and evaluation (Jakeman et al. 2006).
[\textbackslash n] Fire modelling systems like NEXUS (Scott and Reinhardt 2001), FFE-FVS (Reinhardt and Crookston 2003), FARSITE (Finney 2004), FMAPlus (Carlton 2005), FlamMap (Finney 2006), and BehavePlus (Andrews et al. 2008) that are based on separate implementations or linkages between Rothermel's (1972, 1991) rate of fire spread models and Van Wagner's (1977, 1993) crown fire transition and propagation models have been shown to have a marked underprediction bias when used to assess potential crown fire behaviour. What has been allowed to evolve is a family of modelling systems composed of independently developed, linked models that were never intended to work together, are sometimes based on very limited data, and may propagate errors beyond acceptable limits.
[\textbackslash n] We have documented here the sources of the bias based on empirical evidence in the form of published experimental fire and wildfire datasets. By analysing model linkages and components, we have described the primary sources of such bias, namely: (1) incompatible model linkages; (2) use of surface and crown fire rate of spread models that have an inherent underprediction bias; and (3) reduction in crown fire rate of spread based on use of unsubstantiated CFB functions. The use of uncalibrated, custom fuel models to represent surface fuelbeds is considered another potential source of bias.
[\textbackslash n] Our analysis has also shown that the crown fire initiation underprediction bias inherent in all of these fire modelling systems could possibly be rectified by modifying the method used to calculate the surface fireline intensity for the purposes of assessing crown fire initiation potential, namely using Nelson's (2003) model to estimate tr in place of Anderson's model (1969). Other modelling systems exist for predicting the likelihood of crown fire initiation and other aspects of crown fire behaviour (Alexander et al. 2006; Cruz et al. 2006b, 2008). Mitsopoulos and Dimitrakopoulos (2007) have, for example, made extensive use of this suite of models in their assessment of crown fire potential in Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) forests in Greece. These systems are based on models that have undergone performance evaluations against independent datasets and been shown to be reasonably reliable (Cruz et al. 2003b, 2004, 2006b; Cronan and Jandt 2008). Resolving the underprediction bias associated with predicting active crown fire rate of spread inherent in the Rothermel (1991) model would require substantial changes, including a reassessment of the use of a CFB function, if not complete replacement with a more robust empirically developed model (Cruz et al. 2005) that has been extensively tested (Alexander and Cruz 2006) or a physically based one that has undergone limited testing (Butler et al. 2004).
[\textbackslash n] Alexander (2007) has emphasised that assessments of wildland fire potential involving simulation modelling must be complemented with fire behaviour case study knowledge and by experienced judgment. This review has revealed an overwhelming need for the research users of fire modelling systems to be grounded in the theory and proper application of such tools, including a solid understanding of the assumptions, limitations and accuracy of the underlying models as well as practical knowledge of the subject phenomena (Brown and Davis 1973; Albini 1976; Alexander 2009a, 2009b).},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13706015,~to-add-doi-URL,canada,comparison,conifers,model-comparison,modelling-uncertainty,prediction-bias,rothermel,simulation,software-uncertainty,uncertainty,united-states,wildfires},
number = {4}
}
A New Global Burned Area Product for Climate Assessment of Fire Impacts. Chuvieco, E., Yue, C., Heil, A., Mouillot, F., Alonso-Canas, I., Padilla, M., Pereira, J. M., Oom, D., & Tansey, K. 25(5):619–629.
Paper doi abstract bibtex [Aim] This paper presents a new global burned area (BA) product developed within the framework of the European Space Agency's Climate Change Initiative (CCI) programme, along with a first assessment of its potentials for atmospheric and carbon cycle modelling. [Innovation] Methods are presented for generating a new global BA product, along with a comparison with existing BA products, in terms of BA extension, fire size and shapes and emissions derived from biomass burnings. [Main conclusions] Three years of the global BA product were produced, accounting for a total BA of between 360 and 380 Mha year-1. General omission and commission errors for BA were 0.76 and 0.64, but they decreased to 0.51 and 0.52, respectively, for sites with more than 10\,% BA. Intercomparison with other existing BA datasets found similar spatial and temporal trends, mainly with the BA included in the Global Fire Emissions Database (GFED4), although regional differences were found (particularly in the 2006 fires of eastern Europe). The simulated carbon emissions from biomass burning averaged 2.1 Pg C year-1.
@article{chuviecoNewGlobalBurned2016,
title = {A New Global Burned Area Product for Climate Assessment of Fire Impacts},
author = {Chuvieco, Emilio and Yue, Chao and Heil, Angelika and Mouillot, Florent and Alonso-Canas, Itziar and Padilla, Marc and Pereira, Jose M. and Oom, Duarte and Tansey, Kevin},
date = {2016-05},
journaltitle = {Global Ecology and Biogeography},
volume = {25},
pages = {619--629},
issn = {1466-822X},
doi = {10.1111/geb.12440},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.12440},
abstract = {[Aim] This paper presents a new global burned area (BA) product developed within the framework of the European Space Agency's Climate Change Initiative (CCI) programme, along with a first assessment of its potentials for atmospheric and carbon cycle modelling.
[Innovation] Methods are presented for generating a new global BA product, along with a comparison with existing BA products, in terms of BA extension, fire size and shapes and emissions derived from biomass burnings.
[Main conclusions] Three years of the global BA product were produced, accounting for a total BA of between 360 and 380 Mha year-1. General omission and commission errors for BA were 0.76 and 0.64, but they decreased to 0.51 and 0.52, respectively, for sites with more than 10\,\% BA. Intercomparison with other existing BA datasets found similar spatial and temporal trends, mainly with the BA included in the Global Fire Emissions Database (GFED4), although regional differences were found (particularly in the 2006 fires of eastern Europe). The simulated carbon emissions from biomass burning averaged 2.1 Pg C year-1.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14257088,~to-add-doi-URL,burnt-area,carbon-emissions,climate-change,fire-emissions,global-scale,wildfires},
number = {5}
}
Wildfire Smoke Exposure: A Guide for the Nurse Practitioner. Forsberg, N. T., Longo, B. M., Baxter, K., & Boutté, M. 8(2):98–106.
Paper doi abstract bibtex Wildfires produce enormous quantities of finely sized air pollution. Exposure to wildfire smoke is associated with increased incidence of cardio-respiratory health effects, especially in children, persons with chronic disease, and the elderly. This article discusses exposure to particle air pollution, toxicological mechanisms, timing of clinical presentations, and treatment guidelines for use by the nurse practitioner during smoke events.
@article{forsbergWildfireSmokeExposure2012,
title = {Wildfire Smoke Exposure: A Guide for the Nurse Practitioner},
author = {Forsberg, Nicole T. and Longo, Bernadette M. and Baxter, Kimberly and Boutté, Marie},
date = {2012-02},
journaltitle = {The Journal for Nurse Practitioners},
volume = {8},
pages = {98--106},
issn = {1555-4155},
doi = {10.1016/j.nurpra.2011.07.001},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2011.07.001},
abstract = {Wildfires produce enormous quantities of finely sized air pollution. Exposure to wildfire smoke is associated with increased incidence of cardio-respiratory health effects, especially in children, persons with chronic disease, and the elderly. This article discusses exposure to particle air pollution, toxicological mechanisms, timing of clinical presentations, and treatment guidelines for use by the nurse practitioner during smoke events.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14617565,~to-add-doi-URL,adaptation,air-pollution,check-list,fire-emissions,guidelines,human-health,mortality,particulate-matter,smoke,wildfires},
number = {2}
}
Influence of Landscape Structure on Patterns of Forest Fires in Boreal Forest Landscapes in Sweden. Hellberg, E., Niklasson, M., & Granström, A. 34(2):332–338.
Paper doi abstract bibtex To analyze the effect of landscape structure (viz. amount of wetlands) on the past forest fire regime in boreal Sweden, we reconstructed detailed fire histories by cross-dating fire scars in living and dead Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in two different landscape types: mire-free landscapes with a low proportion (1\,%-2\,%) of mires and mire-rich landscapes with a high proportion (21\,%-33\,%) of mires. Two localities were selected and at each one, adjacent mire-free and mire-rich areas of 256-601 ha were sampled. Over the studied 650-year period, the two landscape types differed primarily in the fire intervals and sizes of fires. In the mire-rich landscapes, fires had frequently stopped against mire elements. The net effect was significantly longer fire intervals in the mire-rich than in the mire-free landscape (on average, 32 versus 56 years). The mire-rich areas also had a tail of very long fire intervals lacking in the mire-free areas (maximal interval 292 years). We conclude that mires can have a profound effect on both spatial and temporal patterns of forest fires in the boreal forest, but only when they are effective fuel breaks (i.e., they are wet enough) at the time the fires burn and if they truly dissect the nonmire portion of the forest landscape.
@article{hellbergInfluenceLandscapeStructure2004,
title = {Influence of Landscape Structure on Patterns of Forest Fires in Boreal Forest Landscapes in {{Sweden}}},
author = {Hellberg, Erik and Niklasson, Mats and Granström, Anders},
date = {2004-02},
journaltitle = {Canadian Journal of Forest Research},
volume = {34},
pages = {332--338},
issn = {1208-6037},
doi = {10.1139/x03-175},
url = {http://mfkp.org/INRMM/article/14426179},
abstract = {To analyze the effect of landscape structure (viz. amount of wetlands) on the past forest fire regime in boreal Sweden, we reconstructed detailed fire histories by cross-dating fire scars in living and dead Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in two different landscape types: mire-free landscapes with a low proportion (1\,\%-2\,\%) of mires and mire-rich landscapes with a high proportion (21\,\%-33\,\%) of mires. Two localities were selected and at each one, adjacent mire-free and mire-rich areas of 256-601 ha were sampled. Over the studied 650-year period, the two landscape types differed primarily in the fire intervals and sizes of fires. In the mire-rich landscapes, fires had frequently stopped against mire elements. The net effect was significantly longer fire intervals in the mire-rich than in the mire-free landscape (on average, 32 versus 56 years). The mire-rich areas also had a tail of very long fire intervals lacking in the mire-free areas (maximal interval 292 years). We conclude that mires can have a profound effect on both spatial and temporal patterns of forest fires in the boreal forest, but only when they are effective fuel breaks (i.e., they are wet enough) at the time the fires burn and if they truly dissect the nonmire portion of the forest landscape.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14426179,~to-add-doi-URL,boreal-forests,fire-frequency,forest-fires,forest-resources,mires,spatial-pattern,water-resources,wetlands,wildfires},
number = {2}
}
Effects of Fire and Torrential Rainfall on Erosion in a Mediterranean Gorse Community. De Luis, M., González-Hidalgo, J. C., & RRaventós, J. 14(2):203–213.
Paper doi abstract bibtex Wildland fires and torrential rainfall are important factors affecting Mediterranean nature and human society. In this paper, we investigate their combined impact on a fire-prone vegetation community at the east coast of Spain. Our results show that shrub cover provides an effective control of erosion even under simulated extreme rainfall events. After fire, soil erosion increased noticeably; however, the amount of sediment produced varied greatly, which can be explained by variations in fire severity. The quantity of litter debris after the fire plays a decisive role in controlling the erosion that follows.
@article{deluisEffectsFireTorrential2003,
title = {Effects of Fire and Torrential Rainfall on Erosion in a {{Mediterranean}} Gorse Community},
author = {De Luis, M. and González-Hidalgo, J. C. and RRaventós, J.},
date = {2003-03},
journaltitle = {Land Degradation \& Development},
volume = {14},
pages = {203--213},
issn = {1085-3278},
doi = {10.1002/ldr.547},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.547},
abstract = {Wildland fires and torrential rainfall are important factors affecting Mediterranean nature and human society. In this paper, we investigate their combined impact on a fire-prone vegetation community at the east coast of Spain. Our results show that shrub cover provides an effective control of erosion even under simulated extreme rainfall events. After fire, soil erosion increased noticeably; however, the amount of sediment produced varied greatly, which can be explained by variations in fire severity. The quantity of litter debris after the fire plays a decisive role in controlling the erosion that follows.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-12325722,climate-extremes,mediterranean-region,precipitation,soil-erosion,spain,wildfires},
number = {2}
}
The Effects of Wildfires on Wood-Eating Beetles in Deciduous Forests on the Southern Slope of the Swiss Alps. Moretti, M. & Barbalat, S. 187(1):85–103.
Paper doi abstract bibtex The effect of fires on Cerambycidae, Buprestidae and Lucanidae were studied at 23 sites within a chestnut forest in southern Switzerland. We compared six unburnt sites, two freshly burnt sites, eight sites which burned once at different times in the last 30 years, and seven sites where fires occurred repeatedly in the last 30 years. The diversity and the species composition of the three xylobiont families were related to various ecological variables at two levels of spatial scale, a small scale of 0.25~ha and a large scale of 6.25~ha. These variables were: fire frequency, time since the last fire, clear cutting after the fire, forest structure, amount of dead wood, and habitat mosaic. The fire does not have a direct effect on the xylobiont beetles community at small scale; however, fire has an indirect effect by maintaining a relatively open forest structure. The mosaic of forest areas burnt with different frequencies and at different times was an important factor influencing species richness and species composition at the large spatial scale. Data presented here supports the strategy to conserve the diversity and includes species composition of xylobiont fauna in deciduous forests: (i) at small spatial scale, to maintain highly structured and relatively open stands with large amounts of dead wood and big oak trees; (ii) at large spatial scale, to favour a mosaic of different forest habitats and successional stages. A forest offering a good structural diversity is important for maintaining landscape complexity and thus a high species richness of xylophagous beetles.
@article{morettiEffectsWildfiresWoodeating2004,
title = {The Effects of Wildfires on Wood-Eating Beetles in Deciduous Forests on the Southern Slope of the {{Swiss Alps}}},
author = {Moretti, Marco and Barbalat, Sylvie},
date = {2004-01},
journaltitle = {Forest Ecology and Management},
volume = {187},
pages = {85--103},
issn = {0378-1127},
doi = {10.1016/s0378-1127(03)00314-1},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/s0378-1127(03)00314-1},
abstract = {The effect of fires on Cerambycidae, Buprestidae and Lucanidae were studied at 23 sites within a chestnut forest in southern Switzerland. We compared six unburnt sites, two freshly burnt sites, eight sites which burned once at different times in the last 30 years, and seven sites where fires occurred repeatedly in the last 30 years. The diversity and the species composition of the three xylobiont families were related to various ecological variables at two levels of spatial scale, a small scale of 0.25~ha and a large scale of 6.25~ha. These variables were: fire frequency, time since the last fire, clear cutting after the fire, forest structure, amount of dead wood, and habitat mosaic. The fire does not have a direct effect on the xylobiont beetles community at small scale; however, fire has an indirect effect by maintaining a relatively open forest structure. The mosaic of forest areas burnt with different frequencies and at different times was an important factor influencing species richness and species composition at the large spatial scale. Data presented here supports the strategy to conserve the diversity and includes species composition of xylobiont fauna in deciduous forests: (i) at small spatial scale, to maintain highly structured and relatively open stands with large amounts of dead wood and big oak trees; (ii) at large spatial scale, to favour a mosaic of different forest habitats and successional stages. A forest offering a good structural diversity is important for maintaining landscape complexity and thus a high species richness of xylophagous beetles.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-12106395,biodiversity,buprestidae,cerambycidae,dead-wood,disturbances,diversity,ecosystem-conservation,forest-fires,forest-resources,lucanidae,multi-scale,switzerland,wildfires,xylobiont-beetles},
number = {1}
}
Modelling Long-Term Fire Occurrence Factors in Spain by Accounting for Local Variations with Geographically Weighted Regression. Mart́ınez-Fernández, J., Chuvieco, E., & Koutsias, N. 13(2):311–327.
Paper doi abstract bibtex Humans are responsible for most forest fires in Europe, but anthropogenic factors behind these events are still poorly understood. We tried to identify the driving factors of human-caused fire occurrence in Spain by applying two different statistical approaches. Firstly, assuming stationary processes for the whole country, we created models based on multiple linear regression and binary logistic regression to find factors associated with fire density and fire presence, respectively. Secondly, we used geographically weighted regression (GWR) to better understand and explore the local and regional variations of those factors behind human-caused fire occurrence. [] The number of human-caused fires occurring within a 25-yr period (1983-2007) was computed for each of the 7638 Spanish mainland municipalities, creating a binary variable (fire/no fire) to develop logistic models, and a continuous variable (fire density) to build standard linear regression models. A total of 383 657 fires were registered in the study dataset. The binary logistic model, which estimates the probability of having/not having a fire, successfully classified 76.4\,% of the total observations, while the ordinary least squares (OLS) regression model explained 53\,% of the variation of the fire density patterns (adjusted R2 = 0.53). Both approaches confirmed, in addition to forest and climatic variables, the importance of variables related with agrarian activities, land abandonment, rural population exodus and developmental processes as underlying factors of fire occurrence. [] For the GWR approach, the explanatory power of the GW linear model for fire density using an adaptive bandwidth increased from 53\,% to 67\,%, while for the GW logistic model the correctly classified observations improved only slightly, from 76.4\,% to 78.4\,%, but significantly according to the corrected Akaike Information Criterion (AICc), from 3451.19 to 3321.19. The results from GWR indicated a significant spatial variation in the local parameter estimates for all the variables and an important reduction of the autocorrelation in the residuals of the GW linear model. Despite the fitting improvement of local models, GW regression, more than an alternative to "global" or traditional regression modelling, seems to be a valuable complement to explore the non-stationary relationships between the response variable and the explanatory variables. The synergy of global and local modelling provides insights into fire management and policy and helps further our understanding of the fire problem over large areas while at the same time recognizing its local character.
@article{martinez-fernandezModellingLongtermFire2013,
title = {Modelling Long-Term Fire Occurrence Factors in {{Spain}} by Accounting for Local Variations with Geographically Weighted Regression},
author = {Mart́ınez-Fernández, J. and Chuvieco, E. and Koutsias, N.},
date = {2013-02},
journaltitle = {Natural Hazards and Earth System Science},
volume = {13},
pages = {311--327},
issn = {1684-9981},
doi = {10.5194/nhess-13-311-2013},
url = {http://mfkp.org/INRMM/article/14257121},
abstract = {Humans are responsible for most forest fires in Europe, but anthropogenic factors behind these events are still poorly understood. We tried to identify the driving factors of human-caused fire occurrence in Spain by applying two different statistical approaches. Firstly, assuming stationary processes for the whole country, we created models based on multiple linear regression and binary logistic regression to find factors associated with fire density and fire presence, respectively. Secondly, we used geographically weighted regression (GWR) to better understand and explore the local and regional variations of those factors behind human-caused fire occurrence.
[] The number of human-caused fires occurring within a 25-yr period (1983-2007) was computed for each of the 7638 Spanish mainland municipalities, creating a binary variable (fire/no fire) to develop logistic models, and a continuous variable (fire density) to build standard linear regression models. A total of 383 657 fires were registered in the study dataset. The binary logistic model, which estimates the probability of having/not having a fire, successfully classified 76.4\,\% of the total observations, while the ordinary least squares (OLS) regression model explained 53\,\% of the variation of the fire density patterns (adjusted R2 = 0.53). Both approaches confirmed, in addition to forest and climatic variables, the importance of variables related with agrarian activities, land abandonment, rural population exodus and developmental processes as underlying factors of fire occurrence.
[] For the GWR approach, the explanatory power of the GW linear model for fire density using an adaptive bandwidth increased from 53\,\% to 67\,\%, while for the GW logistic model the correctly classified observations improved only slightly, from 76.4\,\% to 78.4\,\%, but significantly according to the corrected Akaike Information Criterion (AICc), from 3451.19 to 3321.19. The results from GWR indicated a significant spatial variation in the local parameter estimates for all the variables and an important reduction of the autocorrelation in the residuals of the GW linear model. Despite the fitting improvement of local models, GW regression, more than an alternative to "global" or traditional regression modelling, seems to be a valuable complement to explore the non-stationary relationships between the response variable and the explanatory variables. The synergy of global and local modelling provides insights into fire management and policy and helps further our understanding of the fire problem over large areas while at the same time recognizing its local character.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14257121,~to-add-doi-URL,anthropogenic-impacts,forest-fires,spain,spatial-analysis,spatial-pattern,wildfires},
number = {2}
}
Quantifying the Effects of Wildfire on Changes in Soil Properties by Surface Burning of Soils from the Boulder Creek Critical Zone Observatory. Wieting, C., Ebel, B. A., & Singha, K. 13:43–57.
Paper doi abstract bibtex [Highlights] [::] Lab experiments on wildfire impacts were conducted using intact soil cores collected in the field. [::] Fire severity was simulated using a heating gun directed at the soil surface. [::] Fire severity impacted total organic carbon, field-saturated hydraulic conductivity, and water-drop penetration times. [::] Fires did not impact bulk density or core water storage. [::] Reductions in surface soil water repellency in high severity fires may increase infiltration relative to low severity fire. [Abstract] [::Study region] This study used intact soil cores collected at the Boulder Creek Critical Zone Observatory near Boulder, Colorado, USA to explore fire impacts on soil properties. [::Study focus] Three soil scenarios were considered: unburned control soils, and low- and high-temperature burned soils. We explored simulated fire impacts on field-saturated hydraulic conductivity, dry bulk density, total organic carbon, and infiltration processes during rainfall simulations. [::New hydrological insights for the region] Soils burned to high temperatures became more homogeneous with depth with respect to total organic carbon and bulk density, suggesting reductions in near-surface porosity. Organic matter decreased significantly with increasing soil temperature. Tension infiltration experiments suggested a decrease in infiltration rates from unburned to low-temperature burned soils, and an increase in infiltration rates in high-temperature burned soils. Non-parametric statistical tests showed that field-saturated hydraulic conductivity similarly decreased from unburned to low-temperature burned soils, and then increased with high-temperature burned soils. We interpret these changes result from the combustion of surface and near-surface organic materials, enabling water to infiltrate directly into soil instead of being stored in the litter and duff layer at the surface. Together, these results indicate that fire-induced changes in soil properties from low temperatures were not as drastic as high temperatures, but that reductions in surface soil water repellency in high temperatures may increase infiltration relative to low temperatures.
@article{wietingQuantifyingEffectsWildfire2017,
title = {Quantifying the Effects of Wildfire on Changes in Soil Properties by Surface Burning of Soils from the {{Boulder Creek Critical Zone Observatory}}},
author = {Wieting, Celeste and Ebel, Brian A. and Singha, Kamini},
date = {2017-10-01},
journaltitle = {Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies},
shortjournal = {Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies},
volume = {13},
pages = {43--57},
issn = {2214-5818},
doi = {10.1016/j.ejrh.2017.07.006},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2017.07.006},
urldate = {2019-12-04},
abstract = {[Highlights]
[::] Lab experiments on wildfire impacts were conducted using intact soil cores collected in the field.
[::] Fire severity was simulated using a heating gun directed at the soil surface.
[::] Fire severity impacted total organic carbon, field-saturated hydraulic conductivity, and water-drop penetration times.
[::] Fires did not impact bulk density or core water storage.
[::] Reductions in surface soil water repellency in high severity fires may increase infiltration relative to low severity fire.
[Abstract]
[::Study region]
This study used intact soil cores collected at the Boulder Creek Critical Zone Observatory near Boulder, Colorado, USA to explore fire impacts on soil properties.
[::Study focus]
Three soil scenarios were considered: unburned control soils, and low- and high-temperature burned soils. We explored simulated fire impacts on field-saturated hydraulic conductivity, dry bulk density, total organic carbon, and infiltration processes during rainfall simulations.
[::New hydrological insights for the region]
Soils burned to high temperatures became more homogeneous with depth with respect to total organic carbon and bulk density, suggesting reductions in near-surface porosity. Organic matter decreased significantly with increasing soil temperature. Tension infiltration experiments suggested a decrease in infiltration rates from unburned to low-temperature burned soils, and an increase in infiltration rates in high-temperature burned soils. Non-parametric statistical tests showed that field-saturated hydraulic conductivity similarly decreased from unburned to low-temperature burned soils, and then increased with high-temperature burned soils. We interpret these changes result from the combustion of surface and near-surface organic materials, enabling water to infiltrate directly into soil instead of being stored in the litter and duff layer at the surface. Together, these results indicate that fire-induced changes in soil properties from low temperatures were not as drastic as high temperatures, but that reductions in surface soil water repellency in high temperatures may increase infiltration relative to low temperatures.},
keywords = {~INRMM-MiD:z-24NU7ZSB,data-uncertainty,erodibility,fire-severity,modelling-uncertainty,post-fire-impacts,soil-erosion,soil-resources,uncertainty,united-states,wildfires},
langid = {english}
}
Vegetation Fire and Smoke Pollution Warning and Advisory System (VFSP-WAS): Concept Note and Expert Recommendations. Goldammer, J. G., Mangeon, S., Keywood, M., Kaiser, J. W., de Groot, W. J., Gunawan, D., Gan, C., Field, R., Sofiev, M., & Baklanov, A. Volume 235 of GAW Report Series, World Meteorological Organization.
Paper abstract bibtex This concept note contains the expert recommendations resulting from discussions at the international workshop on Forecasting Emissions from Vegetation Fires and their Impacts on Human Health and Security in South-East Asia, which was hosted by the Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG), Jakarta, from 29 August to 1 September 2016. The workshop was organized by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Interdisciplinary Biomass Burning Initiative (IBBI) in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Disaster Reduction/International Wildfire Preparedness Mechanism (UNISDR/IWPM), United Nations University (UNU), Global Wildland Fire Network (GWFN) through the Global Fire Monitoring Center (GFMC), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, and the International Global Atmospheric Chemistry (IGAC) Project. Arising from the keen interest of WMO Members in several impacted regions, the note provides guidance for addressing the issues of vegetation fire and smoke pollution. It also proposes the establishment of a Vegetation Fire and Smoke Pollution Warning and Advisory System (VFSP-WAS) and to support the potential foundation of regional centers on the topic. Although most of the examples described here focus on the South-East Asian region, the concepts remain applicable to other regions (e.g. for Africa, Latin America, Northern Asia). ” South-East Asia” as referred to in this note includes WMO Members from both Regional Associations II and V (Asia and South-West Pacific).
@book{goldammerVegetationFireSmoke2018,
title = {Vegetation {{Fire}} and {{Smoke Pollution Warning}} and {{Advisory System}} ({{VFSP}}-{{WAS}}): Concept Note and Expert Recommendations},
author = {Goldammer, Johann G. and Mangeon, Stéphane and Keywood, Melita and Kaiser, Johannes W. and de Groot, William J. and Gunawan, Dodo and Gan, Christopher and Field, Robert and Sofiev, Mikhail and Baklanov, Alexander},
date = {2018},
volume = {235},
publisher = {{World Meteorological Organization}},
location = {{Geneva, Switzerland}},
url = {http://mfkp.org/INRMM/article/14614204},
abstract = {This concept note contains the expert recommendations resulting from discussions at the international workshop on Forecasting Emissions from Vegetation Fires and their Impacts on Human Health and Security in South-East Asia, which was hosted by the Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG), Jakarta, from 29 August to 1 September 2016. The workshop was organized by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Interdisciplinary Biomass Burning Initiative (IBBI) in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Disaster Reduction/International Wildfire Preparedness Mechanism (UNISDR/IWPM), United Nations University (UNU), Global Wildland Fire Network (GWFN) through the Global Fire Monitoring Center (GFMC), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, and the International Global Atmospheric Chemistry (IGAC) Project. Arising from the keen interest of WMO Members in several impacted regions, the note provides guidance for addressing the issues of vegetation fire and smoke pollution. It also proposes the establishment of a Vegetation Fire and Smoke Pollution Warning and Advisory System (VFSP-WAS) and to support the potential foundation of regional centers on the topic. Although most of the examples described here focus on the South-East Asian region, the concepts remain applicable to other regions (e.g. for Africa, Latin America, Northern Asia). ” South-East Asia” as referred to in this note includes WMO Members from both Regional Associations II and V (Asia and South-West Pacific).},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14614204,air-pollution,decision-support-system,early-warning,fire-emissions,fire-weather-index,forest-fires,forest-resources,gwis,smoke,vegetation,wildfires,wmo},
options = {useprefix=true},
pagetotal = {50},
series = {{{GAW Report}} Series}
}
Wildfire-Related Debris Flow from a Hazards Perspective. Cannon, S. H. & Gartner, J. E. In Debris-Flow Hazards and Related Phenomena, of Springer Praxis Books, pages 363–385. Springer Berlin Heidelberg.
Paper doi abstract bibtex [Excerpt: Introduction] Wildland fire can have profound effects on the hydrologic response of a watershed. Consumption of the rainfall-intercepting canopy and of the soil-mantling litter and duff, intensive drying of the soil, combustion of soil-binding organic matter, and the enhancement or formation of water-repellent soils can change the infiltration characteristics and erodibility of the soil, leading to decreased rainfall infiltration, subsequent significantly increased overland flow and runoff in channels, and movement of soil (e.g., Swanson, 1981; Spittler, 1995; Doerr et al., 2000; Martin and Moody, 2001; Moody and Martin, 2001b; Wondzell and King, 2003). Unit-area peak discharges measured following wildfire have shown between 1.45- and 870-fold increases over pre-fire rates (Moody and Martin, 2001a). Removal of obstructions by wildfire through consumption of vegetation can also enhance the erosive power of overland flow, resulting in accelerated erosion of material from hillslopes (Meyer, 2002). Increased runoff can erode significant volumes of material from channels, either by bank failure or channel bed erosion. Over longer time periods, decreased rates of evapotranspiration caused by vegetation mortality and decay of root structure may result in increased soil moisture and the loss of soil cohesion (Klock and Helvey, 1976; Swanson, 1981; Schmidt et al., 2001). Rainfall on burned watersheds thus has a high potential to transport and deposit large volumes of sediment both within and down-channel from the burned area. [\n] Debris flows can be one of the most hazardous consequences of rainfall on burned hillslopes (e.g., Parrett, 1987; Morton, 1989; Meyer and Wells, 1997; Cannon, 2001) (Fig. 15.1A,B). They pose a hazard distinct from other sediment-laden flows because of their unique destructive power. Debris flows can occur with little warning, can exert great impulsive loads on objects in their paths, and even small debris flows can strip vegetation, block drainage ways, damage structures by impact and erosion, and endanger human life. The deaths of sixteen people during the Christmas Day 2003 storm that impacted recently-burned hillslopes in southern California highlight the most drastic consequences of post-wildfire debris flows (Los Angeles Times, 2003). In addition to the lives lost, US\$9.5 million were spent to remove the 4.1 million cubic meters of material deposited in debris retention basins following this event. Understanding the processes that result in fire-related debris flows, the conditions under which they occur, and their size and frequency of occurrence are critical elements in effective post-fire hazard assessments. [\n] The objective of this chapter is to provide an overview of the current understanding of post-wildfire debris-flow processes and their occurrence. [\n] [...] [Summary and conclusions] Data compiled from studies of debris-flow processes following wildfires throughout the western U.S. can answer some of the questions fundamental to post-fire hazard assessments - what, where, why, when, how big, and how often? Not all elements of all questions have satisfactory answers, but what follows is what can be gleaned from the preceding pages. [::What and why?] Fire-related debris flows have been found to initiate through two primary processes: runoff-dominated erosion by surface overland flow, and infiltration-triggered failure of a discrete landslide mass. Runoff-dominated processes are by far the most prevalent (76\,% of a sample of 210 basins), and occur in response to decreased infiltration and attendant increased runoff and erosion brought about by the immediate effects of the fires. Infiltration-triggered landslide activity is frequently attributed to both increased soil moisture brought about by vegetation-mortality-induced reduced transpiration rates, and root decay associated with decreases in soil cohesion. [::Where?] Debris flows that initiate through runoff-dominated erosion have been documented throughout the intermountain west and southern California. Basins underlain with sedimentary and metamorphic rock types with more than about 65\,% of their areas burned at a combination of high and moderate severities, and with areas and average gradients that fall above the threshold shown in Fig. 15.9 are those most likely to produce this type of debris flow. [\n] [...] [::When?] Runoff-initiated debris flows are produced in response to storms that occur up to two years after the fire, and often in response to the first significant rainfall of the storm season. They occur most frequently in response to storms with average intensities greater than about 4 mm/hr and between 30 minutes and 24 hours in duration. However, debris flows have occurred within a storm after as little as 6 minutes of rainfall at intensities of 95 mm/hr. [\n] [...] [\n] Debris flows generated through mobilization of landslides can occur during the first rainy season immediately after the fire, and up to about 10 years after the fire. These events generally occur in response to prolonged rainfall events, and in some cases, considerably more material is contributed to the debris flows from hillslope runoff and channel erosion than from the landslide scars. [...] [::How big?] Reported peak discharge estimates for runoff-initiated debris-flow events vary between 2 and 240 m3/s and reported volumes range from as little as 600 m3 to 300,000 m3. [...] [::How often?] Basins with thin colluvial covers and minimal channel-fill deposits generally produce debris flows only in response to the first significant rainfall of the season. Basins with thick channel-fill deposits, and those mantled with thick accumulations of talus, frequently produce numerous debris flows throughout the rainy season. [\n] In the absence of similar data in other settings throughout the world, the relations developed here may be appropriate for preliminary hazard assessments. However, we would expect that local conditions strongly affect debris-flow occurrence, and collection and analysis of site-specific data can only help but to improve such assessments. [\n] [...]
@incollection{cannonWildfirerelatedDebrisFlow2005,
title = {Wildfire-Related Debris Flow from a Hazards Perspective},
booktitle = {Debris-Flow {{Hazards}} and {{Related Phenomena}}},
author = {Cannon, Susan H. and Gartner, Joseph E.},
date = {2005},
pages = {363--385},
publisher = {{Springer Berlin Heidelberg}},
doi = {10.1007/3-540-27129-5\\_15},
url = {http://mfkp.org/INRMM/article/14110940},
abstract = {[Excerpt: Introduction] Wildland fire can have profound effects on the hydrologic response of a watershed. Consumption of the rainfall-intercepting canopy and of the soil-mantling litter and duff, intensive drying of the soil, combustion of soil-binding organic matter, and the enhancement or formation of water-repellent soils can change the infiltration characteristics and erodibility of the soil, leading to decreased rainfall infiltration, subsequent significantly increased overland flow and runoff in channels, and movement of soil (e.g., Swanson, 1981; Spittler, 1995; Doerr et al., 2000; Martin and Moody, 2001; Moody and Martin, 2001b; Wondzell and King, 2003). Unit-area peak discharges measured following wildfire have shown between 1.45- and 870-fold increases over pre-fire rates (Moody and Martin, 2001a). Removal of obstructions by wildfire through consumption of vegetation can also enhance the erosive power of overland flow, resulting in accelerated erosion of material from hillslopes (Meyer, 2002). Increased runoff can erode significant volumes of material from channels, either by bank failure or channel bed erosion. Over longer time periods, decreased rates of evapotranspiration caused by vegetation mortality and decay of root structure may result in increased soil moisture and the loss of soil cohesion (Klock and Helvey, 1976; Swanson, 1981; Schmidt et al., 2001). Rainfall on burned watersheds thus has a high potential to transport and deposit large volumes of sediment both within and down-channel from the burned area.
[\textbackslash n] Debris flows can be one of the most hazardous consequences of rainfall on burned hillslopes (e.g., Parrett, 1987; Morton, 1989; Meyer and Wells, 1997; Cannon, 2001) (Fig. 15.1A,B). They pose a hazard distinct from other sediment-laden flows because of their unique destructive power. Debris flows can occur with little warning, can exert great impulsive loads on objects in their paths, and even small debris flows can strip vegetation, block drainage ways, damage structures by impact and erosion, and endanger human life. The deaths of sixteen people during the Christmas Day 2003 storm that impacted recently-burned hillslopes in southern California highlight the most drastic consequences of post-wildfire debris flows (Los Angeles Times, 2003). In addition to the lives lost, US\$9.5 million were spent to remove the 4.1 million cubic meters of material deposited in debris retention basins following this event. Understanding the processes that result in fire-related debris flows, the conditions under which they occur, and their size and frequency of occurrence are critical elements in effective post-fire hazard assessments.
[\textbackslash n] The objective of this chapter is to provide an overview of the current understanding of post-wildfire debris-flow processes and their occurrence.
[\textbackslash n] [...]
[Summary and conclusions] Data compiled from studies of debris-flow processes following wildfires throughout the western U.S. can answer some of the questions fundamental to post-fire hazard assessments - what, where, why, when, how big, and how often? Not all elements of all questions have satisfactory answers, but what follows is what can be gleaned from the preceding pages.
[::What and why?] Fire-related debris flows have been found to initiate through two primary processes: runoff-dominated erosion by surface overland flow, and infiltration-triggered failure of a discrete landslide mass. Runoff-dominated processes are by far the most prevalent (76\,\% of a sample of 210 basins), and occur in response to decreased infiltration and attendant increased runoff and erosion brought about by the immediate effects of the fires. Infiltration-triggered landslide activity is frequently attributed to both increased soil moisture brought about by vegetation-mortality-induced reduced transpiration rates, and root decay associated with decreases in soil cohesion.
[::Where?] Debris flows that initiate through runoff-dominated erosion have been documented throughout the intermountain west and southern California. Basins underlain with sedimentary and metamorphic rock types with more than about 65\,\% of their areas burned at a combination of high and moderate severities, and with areas and average gradients that fall above the threshold shown in Fig. 15.9 are those most likely to produce this type of debris flow. [\textbackslash n] [...]
[::When?] Runoff-initiated debris flows are produced in response to storms that occur up to two years after the fire, and often in response to the first significant rainfall of the storm season. They occur most frequently in response to storms with average intensities greater than about 4 mm/hr and between 30 minutes and 24 hours in duration. However, debris flows have occurred within a storm after as little as 6 minutes of rainfall at intensities of 95 mm/hr. [\textbackslash n] [...] [\textbackslash n] Debris flows generated through mobilization of landslides can occur during the first rainy season immediately after the fire, and up to about 10 years after the fire. These events generally occur in response to prolonged rainfall events, and in some cases, considerably more material is contributed to the debris flows from hillslope runoff and channel erosion than from the landslide scars. [...]
[::How big?] Reported peak discharge estimates for runoff-initiated debris-flow events vary between 2 and 240 m3/s and reported volumes range from as little as 600 m3 to 300,000 m3. [...]
[::How often?] Basins with thin colluvial covers and minimal channel-fill deposits generally produce debris flows only in response to the first significant rainfall of the season. Basins with thick channel-fill deposits, and those mantled with thick accumulations of talus, frequently produce numerous debris flows throughout the rainy season.
[\textbackslash n] In the absence of similar data in other settings throughout the world, the relations developed here may be appropriate for preliminary hazard assessments. However, we would expect that local conditions strongly affect debris-flow occurrence, and collection and analysis of site-specific data can only help but to improve such assessments.
[\textbackslash n] [...]},
isbn = {978-3-540-27129-1},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14110940,~to-add-doi-URL,burnt-area,debris-flows,erodibility,forest-resources,hydrology,landslides,natural-hazards,postfire-impacts,precipitation,runoff,sediment-transport,soil-erosion,soil-hydrophobicity,soil-moisture,soil-resources,water-resources,wildfires},
series = {Springer {{Praxis Books}}}
}
Estimation of Live Fuel Moisture Content from MODIS Images for Fire Risk Assessment. Yebra, M., Chuvieco, E., & Riaño, D. 148(4):523–536.
Paper doi abstract bibtex This paper presents a method to estimate fuel moisture content (FMC) of Mediterranean vegetation species from satellite images in the context of fire risk assessment. The relationship between satellite images and field collected FMC data was based on two methodologies: empirical relations and statistical models based on simulated reflectances derived from radiative transfer models (RTM). Both models were applied to the same validation data set to compare their performance. FMC of grassland and shrublands were estimated using a 5-year time series (2001-2005) of Terra moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) images. The simulated reflectances were based on the leaf level PROSPECT coupled with the canopy level SAILH RTM. The simulated spectra were generated for grasslands and shrublands according to their biophysical parameters traits and FMC range. Both models, empirical and statistical models based on RTM, offered similar accuracy with better determination coefficients for grasslands (r2~=~0.907, and 0.894, respectively) than for shrublands (r2~=~0.732 and 0.842, respectively). Although it is still necessary to test these equations in other areas with analogous types of vegetation, preliminary tests indicate that the adjustments based on simulated data offer similar results, but with greater robustness, than the empirical approach.
@article{yebraEstimationLiveFuel2008,
title = {Estimation of Live Fuel Moisture Content from {{MODIS}} Images for Fire Risk Assessment},
author = {Yebra, Marta and Chuvieco, Emilio and Riaño, David},
date = {2008-04},
journaltitle = {Agricultural and Forest Meteorology},
volume = {148},
pages = {523--536},
issn = {0168-1923},
doi = {10.1016/j.agrformet.2007.12.005},
url = {http://mfkp.org/INRMM/article/9639811},
abstract = {This paper presents a method to estimate fuel moisture content (FMC) of Mediterranean vegetation species from satellite images in the context of fire risk assessment. The relationship between satellite images and field collected FMC data was based on two methodologies: empirical relations and statistical models based on simulated reflectances derived from radiative transfer models (RTM). Both models were applied to the same validation data set to compare their performance. FMC of grassland and shrublands were estimated using a 5-year time series (2001-2005) of Terra moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) images. The simulated reflectances were based on the leaf level PROSPECT coupled with the canopy level SAILH RTM. The simulated spectra were generated for grasslands and shrublands according to their biophysical parameters traits and FMC range. Both models, empirical and statistical models based on RTM, offered similar accuracy with better determination coefficients for grasslands (r2~=~0.907, and 0.894, respectively) than for shrublands (r2~=~0.732 and 0.842, respectively). Although it is still necessary to test these equations in other areas with analogous types of vegetation, preliminary tests indicate that the adjustments based on simulated data offer similar results, but with greater robustness, than the empirical approach.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-9639811,~to-add-doi-URL,fuel-moisture,live-fuel-moisture-content,modis,remote-sensing,risk-assessment,wildfires},
number = {4}
}
Retrieval of Forest Fuel Moisture Content Using a Coupled Radiative Transfer Model. Quan, X., He, B., Yebra, M., Yin, C., Liao, Z., & Li, X. 95:290–302.
Paper doi abstract bibtex Forest fuel moisture content (FMC) dynamics are paramount to assessing the forest wildfire risk and its behavior. This variable can be retrieved from remotely sensed data using a radiative transfer model (RTM). However, previous studies generally treated the background of forest canopy as soil surface while ignored the fact that the soil may be covered by grass canopy. In this study, we focused on retrieving FMC of such forestry structure by coupling two RTMs: PROSAIL and PRO-GeoSail. The spectra of lower grass canopy were firstly simulated by the PROSAIL model, which was then coupled into the PRO-GeoSail model. The results showed that the accuracy level of retrieved FMC using this coupled model was better than that when the PRO-GeoSail model used alone. Further analysis revealed that low FMC condition fostered by fire weather condition had an important influence on the breakout of a fire during the study period.
@article{quanRetrievalForestFuel2017,
title = {Retrieval of Forest Fuel Moisture Content Using a Coupled Radiative Transfer Model},
author = {Quan, Xingwen and He, Binbin and Yebra, Marta and Yin, Changming and Liao, Zhanmang and Li, Xing},
date = {2017-09},
journaltitle = {Environmental Modelling \& Software},
volume = {95},
pages = {290--302},
issn = {1364-8152},
doi = {10.1016/j.envsoft.2017.06.006},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2017.06.006},
abstract = {Forest fuel moisture content (FMC) dynamics are paramount to assessing the forest wildfire risk and its behavior. This variable can be retrieved from remotely sensed data using a radiative transfer model (RTM). However, previous studies generally treated the background of forest canopy as soil surface while ignored the fact that the soil may be covered by grass canopy. In this study, we focused on retrieving FMC of such forestry structure by coupling two RTMs: PROSAIL and PRO-GeoSail. The spectra of lower grass canopy were firstly simulated by the PROSAIL model, which was then coupled into the PRO-GeoSail model. The results showed that the accuracy level of retrieved FMC using this coupled model was better than that when the PRO-GeoSail model used alone. Further analysis revealed that low FMC condition fostered by fire weather condition had an important influence on the breakout of a fire during the study period.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14427369,~to-add-doi-URL,data-transformation-modelling,environmental-modelling,forest-fires,forest-resources,fuel-moisture,remote-sensing,wildfires}
}
A Systematic Review of the Physical Health Impacts from Non-Occupational Exposure to Wildfire Smoke. Liu, J. C., Pereira, G., Uhl, S. A., Bravo, M. A., & Bell, M. L. 136:120–132.
Paper doi abstract bibtex [Highlights] [::] Wildfire smoke dramatically increased ambient air pollutant levels. [::] Wildfire smoke consistently associated with increased risk of respiratory disease. [::] Suggestive evidence wildfire smoke linked with cardiovascular diseases and mortality. [::] Key challenge of exposure assessment: estimating fire-specific pollutants. [Abstract] [::Background] Climate change is likely to increase the threat of wildfires, and little is known about how wildfires affect health in exposed communities. A better understanding of the impacts of the resulting air pollution has important public health implications for the present day and the future. [::Method] We performed a systematic search to identify peer-reviewed scientific studies published since 1986 regarding impacts of wildfire smoke on health in exposed communities. We reviewed and synthesized the state of science of this issue including methods to estimate exposure, and identified limitations in current research. [::Results] We identified 61 epidemiological studies linking wildfire and human health in communities. The U.S. and Australia were the most frequently studied countries (18 studies on the U.S., 15 on Australia). Geographic scales ranged from a single small city (population about 55,000) to the entire globe. Most studies focused on areas close to fire events. Exposure was most commonly assessed with stationary air pollutant monitors (35 of 61 studies). Other methods included using satellite remote sensing and measurements from air samples collected during fires. Most studies compared risk of health outcomes between 1) periods with no fire events and periods during or after fire events, or 2) regions affected by wildfire smoke and unaffected regions. Daily pollution levels during or after wildfire in most studies exceeded U.S. EPA regulations. Levels of PM10, the most frequently studied pollutant, were 1.2 to 10 times higher due to wildfire smoke compared to non-fire periods and/or locations. Respiratory disease was the most frequently studied health condition, and had the most consistent results. Over 90\,% of these 45 studies reported that wildfire smoke was significantly associated with risk of respiratory morbidity. [::Conclusion] Exposure measurement is a key challenge in current literature on wildfire and human health. A limitation is the difficulty of estimating pollution specific to wildfires. New methods are needed to separate air pollution levels of wildfires from those from ambient sources, such as transportation. The majority of studies found that wildfire smoke was associated with increased risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Children, the elderly and those with underlying chronic diseases appear to be susceptible. More studies on mortality and cardiovascular morbidity are needed. Further exploration with new methods could help ascertain the public health impacts of wildfires under climate change and guide mitigation policies.
@article{liuSystematicReviewPhysical2015,
title = {A Systematic Review of the Physical Health Impacts from Non-Occupational Exposure to Wildfire Smoke},
author = {Liu, Jia C. and Pereira, Gavin and Uhl, Sarah A. and Bravo, Mercedes A. and Bell, Michelle L.},
date = {2015-01},
journaltitle = {Environmental Research},
volume = {136},
pages = {120--132},
issn = {0013-9351},
doi = {10.1016/j.envres.2014.10.015},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2014.10.015},
abstract = {[Highlights] [::] Wildfire smoke dramatically increased ambient air pollutant levels.
[::] Wildfire smoke consistently associated with increased risk of respiratory disease.
[::] Suggestive evidence wildfire smoke linked with cardiovascular diseases and mortality.
[::] Key challenge of exposure assessment: estimating fire-specific pollutants.
[Abstract] [::Background] Climate change is likely to increase the threat of wildfires, and little is known about how wildfires affect health in exposed communities. A better understanding of the impacts of the resulting air pollution has important public health implications for the present day and the future.
[::Method] We performed a systematic search to identify peer-reviewed scientific studies published since 1986 regarding impacts of wildfire smoke on health in exposed communities. We reviewed and synthesized the state of science of this issue including methods to estimate exposure, and identified limitations in current research.
[::Results] We identified 61 epidemiological studies linking wildfire and human health in communities. The U.S. and Australia were the most frequently studied countries (18 studies on the U.S., 15 on Australia). Geographic scales ranged from a single small city (population about 55,000) to the entire globe. Most studies focused on areas close to fire events. Exposure was most commonly assessed with stationary air pollutant monitors (35 of 61 studies). Other methods included using satellite remote sensing and measurements from air samples collected during fires. Most studies compared risk of health outcomes between 1) periods with no fire events and periods during or after fire events, or 2) regions affected by wildfire smoke and unaffected regions. Daily pollution levels during or after wildfire in most studies exceeded U.S. EPA regulations. Levels of PM10, the most frequently studied pollutant, were 1.2 to 10 times higher due to wildfire smoke compared to non-fire periods and/or locations. Respiratory disease was the most frequently studied health condition, and had the most consistent results. Over 90\,\% of these 45 studies reported that wildfire smoke was significantly associated with risk of respiratory morbidity.
[::Conclusion] Exposure measurement is a key challenge in current literature on wildfire and human health. A limitation is the difficulty of estimating pollution specific to wildfires. New methods are needed to separate air pollution levels of wildfires from those from ambient sources, such as transportation. The majority of studies found that wildfire smoke was associated with increased risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Children, the elderly and those with underlying chronic diseases appear to be susceptible. More studies on mortality and cardiovascular morbidity are needed. Further exploration with new methods could help ascertain the public health impacts of wildfires under climate change and guide mitigation policies.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14666698,air-pollution,cardiovascular,fire-exposure,human-health,mortality,respiration,review,smoke,systematic-literature-review,wildfires}
}
Impacts of Future Land Use/Land Cover on Wildfire Occurrence in the Madrid Region (Spain). Gallardo, M., Gómez, I., Vilar, L., Mart́ınez-Vega, J., & Mart́ın, M. P. 16(4):1047–1061.
Paper doi abstract bibtex This paper assesses the relative importance of socioeconomic factors linked to fire occurrence through the simulation of future land use/land cover (LULC) change scenarios in the Madrid region (Spain). This region is a clear example of the socioeconomic changes that have been occurring over recent decades in the European Mediterranean as well as their impact on LULC and fire occurrence. Using the LULC changes observed between 1990 and 2006 as a reference, future scenarios were run up to 2025 with the conversion of land use and its effects model. Simultaneously, the relationship between LULC arrangement (interfaces) and historical fire occurrence was calculated using logistic regression analysis and used to quantify changes in future fire occurrence due to projected changes in LULC interfaces. The results revealed that it is possible to explain the probability of fire occurrence using only variables obtained from LULC maps, although the explanatory power of the model is low. In this context, border areas between some LULC types are of particular interest (i.e., urban/forest, grassland/forest and agricultural/forest interfaces). Results indicated that expected LULC changes in Euro-Mediterranean regions, particularly given the foreseeable increase in the wildland-urban interface, will substantially increase fire occurrence (up to 155 %). This underlines the importance of future LULC scenarios when planning fire prevention measures.
@article{gallardoImpactsFutureLand2016,
title = {Impacts of Future Land Use/Land Cover on Wildfire Occurrence in the {{Madrid}} Region ({{Spain}})},
author = {Gallardo, Marta and Gómez, Israel and Vilar, Lara and Mart́ınez-Vega, Javier and Mart́ın, Maria P.},
date = {2016},
journaltitle = {Regional Environmental Change},
volume = {16},
pages = {1047--1061},
issn = {1436-378X},
doi = {10.1007/s10113-015-0819-9},
url = {http://mfkp.org/INRMM/article/14428829},
abstract = {This paper assesses the relative importance of socioeconomic factors linked to fire occurrence through the simulation of future land use/land cover (LULC) change scenarios in the Madrid region (Spain). This region is a clear example of the socioeconomic changes that have been occurring over recent decades in the European Mediterranean as well as their impact on LULC and fire occurrence. Using the LULC changes observed between 1990 and 2006 as a reference, future scenarios were run up to 2025 with the conversion of land use and its effects model. Simultaneously, the relationship between LULC arrangement (interfaces) and historical fire occurrence was calculated using logistic regression analysis and used to quantify changes in future fire occurrence due to projected changes in LULC interfaces. The results revealed that it is possible to explain the probability of fire occurrence using only variables obtained from LULC maps, although the explanatory power of the model is low. In this context, border areas between some LULC types are of particular interest (i.e., urban/forest, grassland/forest and agricultural/forest interfaces). Results indicated that expected LULC changes in Euro-Mediterranean regions, particularly given the foreseeable increase in the wildland-urban interface, will substantially increase fire occurrence (up to 155 \%). This underlines the importance of future LULC scenarios when planning fire prevention measures.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14428829,~to-add-doi-URL,anthropogenic-impacts,forest-resources,interface,land-cover,land-use,land-use-land-cover-changes,spain,urban-areas,wildfires},
number = {4}
}
Biotic Invasions: Causes, Epidemiology, Global Consequences, and Control. Mack, R. N., Simberloff, D., Mark Lonsdale, W., Evans, H., Clout, M., & Bazzaz, F. A. 10(3):689–710.
Paper doi abstract bibtex Biotic invaders are species that establish a new range in which they proliferate, spread, and persist to the detriment of the environment. They are the most important ecological outcomes from the unprecedented alterations in the distribution of the earth's biota brought about largely through human transport and commerce. In a world without borders, few if any areas remain sheltered from these immigrations. The fate of immigrants is decidedly mixed. Few survive the hazards of chronic and stochastic forces, and only a small fraction become naturalized. In turn, some naturalized species do become invasive. There are several potential reasons why some immigrant species prosper: some escape from the constraints of their native predators or parasites; others are aided by human-caused disturbance that disrupts native communities. Ironically, many biotic invasions are apparently facilitated by cultivation and husbandry, unintentional actions that foster immigrant populations until they are self-perpetuating and uncontrollable. Whatever the cause, biotic invaders can in many cases inflict enormous environmental damage: (1) Animal invaders can cause extinctions of vulnerable native species through predation, grazing, competition, and habitat alteration. (2) Plant invaders can completely alter the fire regime, nutrient cycling, hydrology, and energy budgets in a native ecosystem and can greatly diminish the abundance or survival of native species. (3) In agriculture, the principal pests of temperate crops are nonindigenous, and the combined expenses of pest control and crop losses constitute an onerous ” tax” on food, fiber, and forage production. (4) The global cost of virulent plant and animal diseases caused by parasites transported to new ranges and presented with susceptible new hosts is currently incalculable. Identifying future invaders and taking effective steps to prevent their dispersal and establishment constitutes an enormous challenge to both conservation and international commerce. Detection and management when exclusion fails have proved daunting for varied reasons: (1) Efforts to identify general attributes of future invaders have often been inconclusive. (2) Predicting susceptible locales for future invasions seems even more problematic, given the enormous differences in the rates of arrival among potential invaders. (3) Eradication of an established invader is rare, and control efforts vary enormously in their efficacy. Successful control, however, depends more on commitment and continuing diligence than on the efficacy of specific tools themselves. (4) Control of biotic invasions is most effective when it employs a long-term, ecosystem-wide strategy rather than a tactical approach focused on battling individual invaders. (5) Prevention of invasions is much less costly than post-entry control. Revamping national and international quarantine laws by adopting a ” guilty until proven innocent” approach would be a productive first step. Failure to address the issue of biotic invasions could effectively result in severe global consequences, including wholesale loss of agricultural, forestry, and fishery resources in some regions, disruption of the ecological processes that supply natural services on which human enterprise depends, and the creation of homogeneous, impoverished ecosystems composed of cosmopolitan species. Given their current scale, biotic invasions have taken their place alongside human-driven atmospheric and oceanic alterations as major agents of global change. Left unchecked, they will influence these other forces in profound but still unpredictable ways.
@article{mackBioticInvasionsCauses2000,
title = {Biotic Invasions: Causes, Epidemiology, Global Consequences, and Control},
author = {Mack, Richard N. and Simberloff, Daniel and Mark Lonsdale, W. and Evans, Harry and Clout, Michael and Bazzaz, Fakhri A.},
date = {2000-06},
journaltitle = {Ecological Applications},
volume = {10},
pages = {689--710},
issn = {1051-0761},
doi = {10.1890/1051-0761(2000)010[0689:BICEGC]2.0.CO;2},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1890/1051-0761(2000)010[0689:BICEGC]2.0.CO;2},
abstract = {Biotic invaders are species that establish a new range in which they proliferate, spread, and persist to the detriment of the environment. They are the most important ecological outcomes from the unprecedented alterations in the distribution of the earth's biota brought about largely through human transport and commerce. In a world without borders, few if any areas remain sheltered from these immigrations.
The fate of immigrants is decidedly mixed. Few survive the hazards of chronic and stochastic forces, and only a small fraction become naturalized. In turn, some naturalized species do become invasive. There are several potential reasons why some immigrant species prosper: some escape from the constraints of their native predators or parasites; others are aided by human-caused disturbance that disrupts native communities. Ironically, many biotic invasions are apparently facilitated by cultivation and husbandry, unintentional actions that foster immigrant populations until they are self-perpetuating and uncontrollable. Whatever the cause, biotic invaders can in many cases inflict enormous environmental damage: (1) Animal invaders can cause extinctions of vulnerable native species through predation, grazing, competition, and habitat alteration. (2) Plant invaders can completely alter the fire regime, nutrient cycling, hydrology, and energy budgets in a native ecosystem and can greatly diminish the abundance or survival of native species. (3) In agriculture, the principal pests of temperate crops are nonindigenous, and the combined expenses of pest control and crop losses constitute an onerous ” tax” on food, fiber, and forage production. (4) The global cost of virulent plant and animal diseases caused by parasites transported to new ranges and presented with susceptible new hosts is currently incalculable.
Identifying future invaders and taking effective steps to prevent their dispersal and establishment constitutes an enormous challenge to both conservation and international commerce. Detection and management when exclusion fails have proved daunting for varied reasons: (1) Efforts to identify general attributes of future invaders have often been inconclusive. (2) Predicting susceptible locales for future invasions seems even more problematic, given the enormous differences in the rates of arrival among potential invaders. (3) Eradication of an established invader is rare, and control efforts vary enormously in their efficacy. Successful control, however, depends more on commitment and continuing diligence than on the efficacy of specific tools themselves. (4) Control of biotic invasions is most effective when it employs a long-term, ecosystem-wide strategy rather than a tactical approach focused on battling individual invaders. (5) Prevention of invasions is much less costly than post-entry control. Revamping national and international quarantine laws by adopting a ” guilty until proven innocent” approach would be a productive first step.
Failure to address the issue of biotic invasions could effectively result in severe global consequences, including wholesale loss of agricultural, forestry, and fishery resources in some regions, disruption of the ecological processes that supply natural services on which human enterprise depends, and the creation of homogeneous, impoverished ecosystems composed of cosmopolitan species. Given their current scale, biotic invasions have taken their place alongside human-driven atmospheric and oceanic alterations as major agents of global change. Left unchecked, they will influence these other forces in profound but still unpredictable ways.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-9255806,disturbances,ecosystem-change,energy,high-impact-publication,hydrology,invasive-species,review,wildfires},
number = {3}
}
Global and Regional Analysis of Climate and Human Drivers of Wildfire. Aldersley, A., Murray, S. J., & Cornell, S. E. 409(18):3472–3481.
Paper doi abstract bibtex Identifying and quantifying the statistical relationships between climate and anthropogenic drivers of fire is important for global biophysical modelling of wildfire and other Earth system processes. This study used regression tree and random forest analysis on global data for various climatic and human variables to establish their relative importance. The main interactions found at the global scale also apply regionally: greatest wildfire burned area is associated with high temperature ($>~$28~°C), intermediate annual rainfall (350-1100~mm), and prolonged dry periods (which varies by region). However, the regions of highest fire incidence do not show clear and systematic behaviour. Thresholds seen in the regression tree split conditions vary, as do the interplay between climatic and anthropogenic variables, so challenges remain in developing robust predictive insight for the most wildfire-threatened regions. Anthropogenic activities alter the spatial extent of wildfires. Gross domestic product (GDP) density is the most important human predictor variable at the regional scale, and burned area is always greater when GDP density is minimised. South America is identified as a region of concern, as anthropogenic factors (notably land conversions) outweigh climatic drivers of wildfire burned area.
@article{aldersleyGlobalRegionalAnalysis2011,
title = {Global and Regional Analysis of Climate and Human Drivers of Wildfire},
author = {Aldersley, Andrew and Murray, Steven J. and Cornell, Sarah E.},
date = {2011-08},
journaltitle = {Science of The Total Environment},
volume = {409},
pages = {3472--3481},
issn = {0048-9697},
doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.05.032},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.05.032},
abstract = {Identifying and quantifying the statistical relationships between climate and anthropogenic drivers of fire is important for global biophysical modelling of wildfire and other Earth system processes. This study used regression tree and random forest analysis on global data for various climatic and human variables to establish their relative importance. The main interactions found at the global scale also apply regionally: greatest wildfire burned area is associated with high temperature ({$>~$}28~°C), intermediate annual rainfall (350-1100~mm), and prolonged dry periods (which varies by region). However, the regions of highest fire incidence do not show clear and systematic behaviour. Thresholds seen in the regression tree split conditions vary, as do the interplay between climatic and anthropogenic variables, so challenges remain in developing robust predictive insight for the most wildfire-threatened regions. Anthropogenic activities alter the spatial extent of wildfires. Gross domestic product (GDP) density is the most important human predictor variable at the regional scale, and burned area is always greater when GDP density is minimised. South America is identified as a region of concern, as anthropogenic factors (notably land conversions) outweigh climatic drivers of wildfire burned area.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-9491913,~to-add-doi-URL,agricultural-land,anthropic-feedback,anthropogenic-impacts,climate,global-scale,population-density,precipitation,regional-scale,temperature,wildfires},
number = {18}
}
Anthropogenic Forcings and Associated Changes in Fire Risk in Western North America and Australia during 2015-2016. Tett, S., Falk, A., Rogers, M., Spuler, F., Turner, C., Wainwright, J., Dimdore-Miles, O., Knight, S., Freychet, N., Mineter, M., & Lehmann, C. In Herring, S. C., Christidis, N., Hoell, A., Kossin, J. P., Schreck, C. J., & Stott, P. A., editors, Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, volume 99, of Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, pages S60-S64. American Meteorological Society (AMS).
Paper doi abstract bibtex Extreme vapor pressure deficits (VPD) have been associated with enhanced wildfire risk. Using one model, we found for 2015/16 that human influences quintupled the risk of extreme VPD for western North America and increased the risk for extratropical Australia. [Excerpt: Introduction] In 2016, about 3.6 million hectares of land burned in the United States and Canada (NIFC 2017; NFD 2017). In Canada, a wildfire southwest of Fort McMurray, Alberta, caused the largest wildfire evacuation in Alberta's history and destroyed 2400 homes in 2016 (McConnell 2016). Abatzoglou and Williams (2016; AP16 from hereon) showed that anthropogenic climate change has increased forest fire activity in the western United States. This raises the question if anthropogenic forcing are increasing the risk of devastating events outside this region such as the Canadian Fort McMurray fire. [] During the Australian summer of 2015/16, the country experienced high numbers of bushfires: the southwest and southeast of the country were most affected with more than 100 000 hectares of vegetation burned in Tasmania (ABC News 2016a). Over the course of this summer, 408 residential and 500 nonresidential buildings were destroyed nationwide. This fire season was moderately destructive with insured losses of about AUD \$350 million (ABC News 2016b). [] AP16 found for the western United States a strong link between the spring-summer vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and the annual burned area. In this paper, we build on this work using monthly average VPD as a proxy for fire risk during the summer of 2016 for extratropical Australia (October-February) and western North America (May-August) though this link has not been directly established for either region. VPD is an absolute measure of the state of atmospheric moisture, specifically the difference between the saturation vapor pressure and the actual vapor pressure of the atmosphere (Seagar et al. 2015). Changes in VPD are associated with the drying of both live vegetation and litter fuels, and it is only when vegetation and litter fuels are sufficiently dry that fires can both ignite and spread (Bradstock 2010). [] [...]
@incollection{tettAnthropogenicForcingsAssociated2018,
title = {Anthropogenic Forcings and Associated Changes in Fire Risk in {{Western North America}} and {{Australia}} during 2015-2016},
booktitle = {Bulletin of the {{American Meteorological Society}}},
author = {Tett, Simon and Falk, Alexander and Rogers, Megan and Spuler, Fiona and Turner, Calum and Wainwright, Joshua and Dimdore-Miles, Oscar and Knight, Sam and Freychet, Nicolas and Mineter, Michael and Lehmann, Caroline},
editor = {Herring, Stephanie C. and Christidis, Nikolaos and Hoell, Andrew and Kossin, James P. and Schreck, Carl J. and Stott, Peter A.},
date = {2018-01},
volume = {99},
pages = {S60-S64},
publisher = {{American Meteorological Society (AMS)}},
location = {{Boston, United States}},
issn = {1520-0477},
doi = {10.1175/BAMS-D-17-0096.1},
url = {http://mfkp.org/INRMM/article/14503360},
abstract = {Extreme vapor pressure deficits (VPD) have been associated with enhanced wildfire risk. Using one model, we found for 2015/16 that human influences quintupled the risk of extreme VPD for western North America and increased the risk for extratropical Australia.
[Excerpt: Introduction] In 2016, about 3.6 million hectares of land burned in the United States and Canada (NIFC 2017; NFD 2017). In Canada, a wildfire southwest of Fort McMurray, Alberta, caused the largest wildfire evacuation in Alberta's history and destroyed 2400 homes in 2016 (McConnell 2016). Abatzoglou and Williams (2016; AP16 from hereon) showed that anthropogenic climate change has increased forest fire activity in the western United States. This raises the question if anthropogenic forcing are increasing the risk of devastating events outside this region such as the Canadian Fort McMurray fire.
[] During the Australian summer of 2015/16, the country experienced high numbers of bushfires: the southwest and southeast of the country were most affected with more than 100 000 hectares of vegetation burned in Tasmania (ABC News 2016a). Over the course of this summer, 408 residential and 500 nonresidential buildings were destroyed nationwide. This fire season was moderately destructive with insured losses of about AUD \$350 million (ABC News 2016b).
[] AP16 found for the western United States a strong link between the spring-summer vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and the annual burned area. In this paper, we build on this work using monthly average VPD as a proxy for fire risk during the summer of 2016 for extratropical Australia (October-February) and western North America (May-August) though this link has not been directly established for either region. VPD is an absolute measure of the state of atmospheric moisture, specifically the difference between the saturation vapor pressure and the actual vapor pressure of the atmosphere (Seagar et al. 2015). Changes in VPD are associated with the drying of both live vegetation and litter fuels, and it is only when vegetation and litter fuels are sufficiently dry that fires can both ignite and spread (Bradstock 2010).
[] [...]},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14503360,~to-add-doi-URL,anthropogenic-impacts,australia,burnt-area,climate-change,climate-extremes,extreme-events,extreme-weather,north-america,risk-assessment,vapour-pressure-deficit,wildfires},
number = {1},
series = {Bulletin of the {{American Meteorological Society}}}
}
Applying a Dynamic Data Driven Genetic Algorithm to Improve Forest Fire Spread Prediction. Denham, M., Cortés, A., Margalef, T., & Luque, E. In Bubak, M., Albada, G., Dongarra, J., & Sloot, P., editors, Computational Science - ICCS 2008, volume 5103, of Lecture Notes in Computer Science, pages 36–45. Springer Berlin Heidelberg.
Paper doi abstract bibtex This work represents the first step toward a DDDAS for Wildland Fire Prediction where our main efforts are oriented to take advantage of the computing power provided by High Performance Computing systems to, on the one hand, propose computational data driven steering strategies to overcome input data uncertainty and, on the other hand, to reduce the execution time of the whole prediction process in order to be reliable during real-time crisis. In particular, this work is focused on the description of a Dynamic Data Driven Genetic Algorithm used as steering strategy to automatic adjust certain input data values of forest fire simulators taking into account the underlying propagation model and the real fire behavior.
@incollection{denhamApplyingDynamicData2008,
title = {Applying a {{Dynamic Data Driven Genetic Algorithm}} to {{Improve Forest Fire Spread Prediction}}},
booktitle = {Computational {{Science}} - {{ICCS}} 2008},
author = {Denham, Mónica and Cortés, Ana and Margalef, Tomàs and Luque, Emilio},
editor = {Bubak, Marian and Albada, GeertDick and Dongarra, Jack and Sloot, PeterM},
date = {2008},
volume = {5103},
pages = {36--45},
publisher = {{Springer Berlin Heidelberg}},
doi = {10.1007/978-3-540-69389-5\\_6},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-69389-5_6},
abstract = {This work represents the first step toward a DDDAS for Wildland Fire Prediction where our main efforts are oriented to take advantage of the computing power provided by High Performance Computing systems to, on the one hand, propose computational data driven steering strategies to overcome input data uncertainty and, on the other hand, to reduce the execution time of the whole prediction process in order to be reliable during real-time crisis. In particular, this work is focused on the description of a Dynamic Data Driven Genetic Algorithm used as steering strategy to automatic adjust certain input data values of forest fire simulators taking into account the underlying propagation model and the real fire behavior.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-12031791,dddas,dynamic-data-driven-application-system,forest-fires,forest-resources,genetic-algorithms,wildfires},
series = {Lecture {{Notes}} in {{Computer Science}}}
}
Defining Extreme Wildfire Events: Difficulties, Challenges, and Impacts. Tedim, F., Leone, V., Amraoui, M., Bouillon, C., Coughlan, M., Delogu, G., Fernandes, P., Ferreira, C., McCaffrey, S., McGee, T., Parente, J., Paton, D., Pereira, M., Ribeiro, L., Viegas, D., & Xanthopoulos, G. 1(1):9+.
Paper doi abstract bibtex Every year worldwide some extraordinary wildfires occur, overwhelming suppression capabilities, causing substantial damages, and often resulting in fatalities. Given their increasing frequency, there is a debate about how to address these wildfires with significant social impacts, but there is no agreement upon terminology to describe them. The concept of extreme wildfire event (EWE) has emerged to bring some coherence on this kind of events. It is increasingly used, often as a synonym of other terms related to wildfires of high intensity and size, but its definition remains elusive. The goal of this paper is to go beyond drawing on distinct disciplinary perspectives to develop a holistic view of EWE as a social-ecological phenomenon. Based on literature review and using a transdisciplinary approach, this paper proposes a definition of EWE as a process and an outcome. Considering the lack of a consistent ” scale of gravity” to leverage extreme wildfire events such as in natural hazards (e.g., tornados, hurricanes and earthquakes) we present a proposal of wildfire classification with seven categories based on measurable fire spread and behavior parameters and suppression difficulty. The categories 5 to 7 are labeled as EWE.
@article{tedimDefiningExtremeWildfire2018,
title = {Defining Extreme Wildfire Events: Difficulties, Challenges, and Impacts},
author = {Tedim, Fantina and Leone, Vittorio and Amraoui, Malik and Bouillon, Christophe and Coughlan, Michael and Delogu, Giuseppe and Fernandes, Paulo and Ferreira, Carmen and McCaffrey, Sarah and McGee, Tara and Parente, Joana and Paton, Douglas and Pereira, Mário and Ribeiro, Lúıs and Viegas, Domingos and Xanthopoulos, Gavriil},
date = {2018-02},
journaltitle = {Fire},
volume = {1},
pages = {9+},
issn = {2571-6255},
doi = {10.3390/fire1010009},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/fire1010009},
abstract = {Every year worldwide some extraordinary wildfires occur, overwhelming suppression capabilities, causing substantial damages, and often resulting in fatalities. Given their increasing frequency, there is a debate about how to address these wildfires with significant social impacts, but there is no agreement upon terminology to describe them. The concept of extreme wildfire event (EWE) has emerged to bring some coherence on this kind of events. It is increasingly used, often as a synonym of other terms related to wildfires of high intensity and size, but its definition remains elusive. The goal of this paper is to go beyond drawing on distinct disciplinary perspectives to develop a holistic view of EWE as a social-ecological phenomenon. Based on literature review and using a transdisciplinary approach, this paper proposes a definition of EWE as a process and an outcome. Considering the lack of a consistent ” scale of gravity” to leverage extreme wildfire events such as in natural hazards (e.g., tornados, hurricanes and earthquakes) we present a proposal of wildfire classification with seven categories based on measurable fire spread and behavior parameters and suppression difficulty. The categories 5 to 7 are labeled as EWE.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14686423,ambiguity,classification,climate-extremes,definition,extreme-events,extreme-weather,fire-spotting-distance,forest-fires,forest-resources,pyroconvection,spatial-spread,terminology,uncertainty,vegetation,wildfires,wind},
number = {1}
}
Vulnerability of Forest Ecosystems to Fire in the French Alps. Dupire, S., Curt, T., Bigot, S., & Fréjaville, T.
Paper doi abstract bibtex Forest fires are expected to be more frequent and more intense with climate change, including in temperate and mountain forest ecosystems. In the Alps, forest vulnerability to fire resulting from interactions between climate, fuel types, vegetation structure and tree resistance to fire is little understood. This paper aims at identifying trends in the vulnerability of Alpine forest ecosystems to fire at different scales (tree species, stand level and biogeographic level) and according to three different climatic conditions (cold season, average summer and extremely dry summer). To explore Alpine forest vulnerability to fire, we used surface fuel measurements, forest inventory and fire weather data to simulate fire behaviour and ultimately post-fire tree mortality across 4438 forest plots in the French Alps. The results showed that cold season fires (about 50% of the fires in the French Alps) have a limited impact except on low-elevation forests of the Southern Alps (mainly Oak, Scots pine). In average summer conditions, mixed and broadleaved forests of low elevations suffer the highest mortality rates (up to 75% in coppices). Finally, summer fires occurring in extremely dry conditions promote high mortality across all forest communities. Lowest mortality rates were observed in high forest stands composed of tree species presenting adaptation to surface fires (e.g. thick bark, high canopy) such as Larch forests of the internal Alps. This study provides insights on the vulnerability of the main tree species and forest ecosystems of the French Alps useful for the adaptation of forest management practices to climate changes.
@article{dupireVulnerabilityForestEcosystems2019,
title = {Vulnerability of Forest Ecosystems to Fire in the {{French Alps}}},
author = {Dupire, Sylvain and Curt, Thomas and Bigot, Sylvain and Fréjaville, Thibaut},
date = {2019-06-19},
journaltitle = {European Journal of Forest Research},
shortjournal = {Eur J Forest Res},
issn = {1612-4677},
doi = {10.1007/s10342-019-01206-1},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-019-01206-1},
urldate = {2019-07-02},
abstract = {Forest fires are expected to be more frequent and more intense with climate change, including in temperate and mountain forest ecosystems. In the Alps, forest vulnerability to fire resulting from interactions between climate, fuel types, vegetation structure and tree resistance to fire is little understood. This paper aims at identifying trends in the vulnerability of Alpine forest ecosystems to fire at different scales (tree species, stand level and biogeographic level) and according to three different climatic conditions (cold season, average summer and extremely dry summer). To explore Alpine forest vulnerability to fire, we used surface fuel measurements, forest inventory and fire weather data to simulate fire behaviour and ultimately post-fire tree mortality across 4438 forest plots in the French Alps. The results showed that cold season fires (about 50\% of the fires in the French Alps) have a limited impact except on low-elevation forests of the Southern Alps (mainly Oak, Scots pine). In average summer conditions, mixed and broadleaved forests of low elevations suffer the highest mortality rates (up to 75\% in coppices). Finally, summer fires occurring in extremely dry conditions promote high mortality across all forest communities. Lowest mortality rates were observed in high forest stands composed of tree species presenting adaptation to surface fires (e.g. thick bark, high canopy) such as Larch forests of the internal Alps. This study provides insights on the vulnerability of the main tree species and forest ecosystems of the French Alps useful for the adaptation of forest management practices to climate changes.},
keywords = {~INRMM-MiD:z-QCN3YHET,abies-alba,alpine-region,fagus-sylvatica,forest-fires,forest-resources,france,larix-decidua,picea-abies,pinus-cembra,pinus-nigra,pinus-sylvestris,pinus-uncinata,quercus-petraea,quercus-pubescens,quercus-robur,quercus-spp,vulnerability,wildfires},
langid = {english}
}
Description of the Indices Implemented in EUDIC Software for the European Meteorological Forest Fire Risk Mapping. Camia, A. & Bovio, G. European Commission, Joint Research Centre.
Paper abstract bibtex EUDIC is a software developed in the frame of a collaboration between the Department AGROSELVITER of the University of Turin and the Space Application Institute of the Joint Research Centre. The software is aimed to compute daily a number of meteorological fire danger indices in Europe, using as input either measured meteorological data from the MARS database or forecasted weather data from MeteoFrance. The output are raster maps of the European Mediterranean basin or other portions of the European territory, showing the spatial distribution of the fire danger level in a given day, segmented into 5 classes. The aim of this report is to provide a synthetic description, including main formulas, algorithms and references, of the meteorological fire danger indices implemented in EUDIC. Notice that the thresholds used to segment the indices and define the mentioned 5 classes of meteorological fire danger level are not reported here. The indices are named as it follows: Portuguese Index ICONA Method Drouet-Sol Numerical Risk Italian Fire Danger Index Canadian Fire Weather Index (FWI) Fine Fuel Moisture Code (FFMC) Duff Moisture Code (DMC) Drought Code (DC) Initial Spread Index (ISI) Build Up Index (BUI) BEHAVE Dead Fine Fuel Moisture Content To simplify the reading of the document, a common frame to illustrate the indices has been established, covering for each index the following issues: 1. Description: brief description of the index 2. Reference: main reference from which the equations were taken 3. Inputs required: meteorological variables and unit measures needed to compute the index 4. Basic equations: formulas and algorithms
@book{camiaDescriptionIndicesImplemented2000,
title = {Description of the Indices Implemented in {{EUDIC}} Software for the {{European}} Meteorological Forest Fire Risk Mapping},
author = {Camia, Andrea and Bovio, Giovanni},
date = {2000-05},
publisher = {{European Commission, Joint Research Centre}},
url = {http://firesmart.gmv.es:8080/jspui/bitstream/123456789/3697/1/Camia_Bovio2002.pdf},
abstract = {EUDIC is a software developed in the frame of a collaboration between the Department AGROSELVITER of the University of Turin and the Space Application Institute of the Joint Research Centre. The software is aimed to compute daily a number of meteorological fire danger indices in Europe, using as input either measured meteorological data from the MARS database or forecasted weather data from MeteoFrance. The output are raster maps of the European Mediterranean basin or other portions of the European territory, showing the spatial distribution of the fire danger level in a given day, segmented into 5 classes.
The aim of this report is to provide a synthetic description, including main formulas, algorithms and references, of the meteorological fire danger indices implemented in EUDIC. Notice that the thresholds used to segment the indices and define the mentioned 5 classes of meteorological fire danger level are not reported here. The indices are named as it follows: Portuguese Index ICONA Method Drouet-Sol Numerical Risk Italian Fire Danger Index Canadian Fire Weather Index (FWI) Fine Fuel Moisture Code (FFMC) Duff Moisture Code (DMC) Drought Code (DC) Initial Spread Index (ISI) Build Up Index (BUI) BEHAVE Dead Fine Fuel Moisture Content
To simplify the reading of the document, a common frame to illustrate the indices has been established, covering for each index the following issues: 1. Description: brief description of the index 2. Reference: main reference from which the equations were taken 3. Inputs required: meteorological variables and unit measures needed to compute the index 4. Basic equations: formulas and algorithms},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-12277394,europe,forest-fires,forest-resources,indices,mapping,meteorology,risk-assessment,wildfires}
}
Daily Synoptic Conditions Associated with Large Fire Occurrence in Mediterranean France: Evidence for a Wind-Driven Fire Regime. Ruffault, J., Moron, V., Trigo, R. M., & Curt, T. 37(1):524–533.
Paper doi abstract bibtex Changes in wildfire activity in the Mediterranean area over recent decades increase the need for a better understanding of the fire-weather relationships and for the development of reliable models to improve fire danger prediction. This study analyses daily synoptic and local weather conditions associated with the occurrence of summer large fires (LFs) in Mediterranean France during recent decades (1973-2013). The links between large fire occurrence and synoptic conditions are analysed with composites of sea level pressure and winds at 925 hPa and a parsimonious synoptic weather type (WT) classification based on these variables. A cluster analysis is used to identify five homogeneous regions with similar inter-annual variations in fire activity. Our results reveal a dominant wind-driven fire regime, i.e. wind conditions are the main factor explaining why fire become large, though substantial temporal and spatial variations are observed. Thus, most LFs occur under the 'Atlantic Ridge' WT that combines an anticyclonic ridge over eastern Atlantic and a cyclonic anomaly stretched from the North Sea to Central/Eastern Europe and Mediterranean basin. This pattern is significantly related at local scale to fast continental dry winds. By contrast, only few LFs occur under WTs characterized by anomalously warm local-scale conditions ('Blocking'), except under very warm and dry conditions such as during the outstanding 2003 summer. These results offer promising developments for the improvement of fire danger predictions and operational management.
@article{ruffaultDailySynopticConditions2017,
title = {Daily Synoptic Conditions Associated with Large Fire Occurrence in {{Mediterranean France}}: Evidence for a Wind-Driven Fire Regime},
author = {Ruffault, J. and Moron, V. and Trigo, R. M. and Curt, T.},
date = {2017-01},
journaltitle = {International Journal of Climatology},
volume = {37},
pages = {524--533},
issn = {0899-8418},
doi = {10.1002/joc.4680},
url = {http://mfkp.org/INRMM/article/14460406},
abstract = {Changes in wildfire activity in the Mediterranean area over recent decades increase the need for a better understanding of the fire-weather relationships and for the development of reliable models to improve fire danger prediction. This study analyses daily synoptic and local weather conditions associated with the occurrence of summer large fires (LFs) in Mediterranean France during recent decades (1973-2013). The links between large fire occurrence and synoptic conditions are analysed with composites of sea level pressure and winds at 925 hPa and a parsimonious synoptic weather type (WT) classification based on these variables. A cluster analysis is used to identify five homogeneous regions with similar inter-annual variations in fire activity. Our results reveal a dominant wind-driven fire regime, i.e. wind conditions are the main factor explaining why fire become large, though substantial temporal and spatial variations are observed. Thus, most LFs occur under the 'Atlantic Ridge' WT that combines an anticyclonic ridge over eastern Atlantic and a cyclonic anomaly stretched from the North Sea to Central/Eastern Europe and Mediterranean basin. This pattern is significantly related at local scale to fast continental dry winds. By contrast, only few LFs occur under WTs characterized by anomalously warm local-scale conditions ('Blocking'), except under very warm and dry conditions such as during the outstanding 2003 summer. These results offer promising developments for the improvement of fire danger predictions and operational management.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14460406,~to-add-doi-URL,extreme-events,extreme-weather,fire-regimes,forest-fires,forest-resources,france,wildfires,wind},
number = {1}
}
Landscape - Wildfire Interactions in Southern Europe: Implications for Landscape Management. Moreira, F., Viedma, O., Arianoutsou, M., Curt, T., Koutsias, N., Rigolot, E., Barbati, A., Corona, P., Vaz, P., Xanthopoulos, G., Mouillot, F., & Bilgili, E. 92(10):2389–2402.
Paper doi abstract bibtex [Abstract] Every year approximately half a million hectares of land are burned by wildfires in southern Europe, causing large ecological and socio-economic impacts. Climate and land use changes in the last decades have increased fire risk and danger. In this paper we review the available scientific knowledge on the relationships between landscape and wildfires in the Mediterranean region, with a focus on its application for defining landscape management guidelines and policies that could be adopted in order to promote landscapes with lower fire hazard. The main findings are that (1) socio-economic drivers have favoured land cover changes contributing to increasing fire hazard in the last decades, (2) large wildfires are becoming more frequent, (3) increased fire frequency is promoting homogeneous landscapes covered by fire-prone shrublands; (4) landscape planning to reduce fuel loads may be successful only if fire weather conditions are not extreme. The challenges to address these problems and the policy and landscape management responses that should be adopted are discussed, along with major knowledge gaps. [Highlights] [::] We reviewed landscape-wildfire relationships in Southern Europe. [::] Recent land cover changes contributed to increase fire hazard in the last decades. [::] Large wildfires are becoming more frequent. [::] Increased fire frequency is creating landscapes covered by fire-prone shrublands. [::] Landscape planning to reduce fire hazard works only if fire weather is not extreme.
@article{moreiraLandscapeWildfireInteractions2011,
title = {Landscape - Wildfire Interactions in Southern {{Europe}}: Implications for Landscape Management},
author = {Moreira, Francisco and Viedma, Olga and Arianoutsou, Margarita and Curt, Thomas and Koutsias, Nikos and Rigolot, Eric and Barbati, Anna and Corona, Piermaria and Vaz, Pedro and Xanthopoulos, Gavriil and Mouillot, Florent and Bilgili, Ertugrul},
date = {2011-10},
journaltitle = {Journal of Environmental Management},
volume = {92},
pages = {2389--2402},
issn = {0301-4797},
doi = {10.1016/j.jenvman.2011.06.028},
url = {http://mfkp.org/INRMM/article/9597979},
abstract = {[Abstract]
Every year approximately half a million hectares of land are burned by wildfires in southern Europe, causing large ecological and socio-economic impacts. Climate and land use changes in the last decades have increased fire risk and danger. In this paper we review the available scientific knowledge on the relationships between landscape and wildfires in the Mediterranean region, with a focus on its application for defining landscape management guidelines and policies that could be adopted in order to promote landscapes with lower fire hazard. The main findings are that (1) socio-economic drivers have favoured land cover changes contributing to increasing fire hazard in the last decades, (2) large wildfires are becoming more frequent, (3) increased fire frequency is promoting homogeneous landscapes covered by fire-prone shrublands; (4) landscape planning to reduce fuel loads may be successful only if fire weather conditions are not extreme. The challenges to address these problems and the policy and landscape management responses that should be adopted are discussed, along with major knowledge gaps.
[Highlights]
[::] We reviewed landscape-wildfire relationships in Southern Europe. [::] Recent land cover changes contributed to increase fire hazard in the last decades. [::] Large wildfires are becoming more frequent. [::] Increased fire frequency is creating landscapes covered by fire-prone shrublands. [::] Landscape planning to reduce fire hazard works only if fire weather is not extreme.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-9597979,~to-add-doi-URL,adaptation,burnt-area,check-list,climate-change,disturbances,extreme-weather,fire-fuel,fire-hazard,fire-regimes,fire-severity,fire-weather-index,forest-fires,forest-resources,land-management,land-use-land-cover-changes,landscape-changes,landscape-dynamics,mediterranean-region,mitigation,shrubs,southern-europe,vegetation-changes,wildfires},
number = {10}
}
Scientists Aim to Smoke out Wildfire Impacts. Cornwall, W. 360(6392):948–949.
Paper doi abstract bibtex Scientists this summer are taking to the air in an ambitious effort to better understand the chemistry, behavior, and health impacts of wildfire smoke. The flights in an instrument-packed C-130 airplane belonging to the National Science Foundation will be followed in 2019 by flights on a NASA DC-8 research jet by scientists with NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The two planes will fly through plumes of wildfire smoke, with a focus on the western United States, where wildfires have grown bigger and more intense. Researchers are saying it's the most comprehensive effort ever to understand wildfire smoke.
@article{cornwallScientistsAimSmoke2018,
title = {Scientists Aim to Smoke out Wildfire Impacts},
author = {Cornwall, Warren},
date = {2018-06},
journaltitle = {Science},
volume = {360},
pages = {948--949},
issn = {1095-9203},
doi = {10.1126/science.360.6392.948},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1126/science.360.6392.948},
abstract = {Scientists this summer are taking to the air in an ambitious effort to better understand the chemistry, behavior, and health impacts of wildfire smoke. The flights in an instrument-packed C-130 airplane belonging to the National Science Foundation will be followed in 2019 by flights on a NASA DC-8 research jet by scientists with NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The two planes will fly through plumes of wildfire smoke, with a focus on the western United States, where wildfires have grown bigger and more intense. Researchers are saying it's the most comprehensive effort ever to understand wildfire smoke.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14597531,~to-add-doi-URL,aerosol,air-pollution,air-quality,fire-emissions,forest-resources,human-health,smoke,vegetation,wildfires},
number = {6392}
}
Collection 6 MODIS Burned Area Product User’s Guide - Version 1.2. Giglio, L., Boschetti, L., Roy, D., Hoffmann, A. A., Humber, M., & Hall, J. V. .
Paper abstract bibtex [Excerpt: Introduction] This document contains the most current information about the Collection 6 Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) Burned Area product suite. It is intended to provide the end user with practical information regarding the use (and misuse) of the products, and to explain some of the more obscure and potentially confusing aspects of the burned area products and MODIS products in general. [::Summary of Collection 6 Algorithm and Product Changes] [::1] The product is now generated using an improved version of the Giglio et al. (2009) MCD64 burned area mapping algorithm (i.e., MCD64A1 will be adopted as the standard MODIS burned area product for Collection 6). The MCD45A1 product will not be generated beyond Collection 5.1. [::2] The product is generated using Collection 6 (versus Collection 5) surface reflectance and active fire input data. [::3] General improvement (reduced omission error) in burned area detection. [::4] Significantly better detection of small burns. [::5] Modest reduction in burn-date temporal uncertainty. [::6] Significant reduction in the occurrence of unclassified grid cells due to algorithm changes and refinements in the upstream Collection 6 input data. [::7] Product coverage expanded from 219 to 268 MODIS tiles. [::8] Expanded per-pixel quality assurance (QA) product layer. [::9] MCD64A1 Burn Date layer now uniquely flags missing-data versus water grid cells. [\n] [...]
@report{giglioCollectionMODISBurned2018,
title = {Collection 6 {{MODIS}} Burned Area Product User’s Guide - {{Version}} 1.2},
author = {Giglio, Louis and Boschetti, Luigi and Roy, David and Hoffmann, Anja A. and Humber, Michael and Hall, Joanne V.},
date = {2018},
url = {https://web.archive.org/web/201905/http://modis-fire.umd.edu/files/MODIS_C6_BA_User_Guide_1.2.pdf},
abstract = {[Excerpt: Introduction]
This document contains the most current information about the Collection 6 Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) Burned Area product suite. It is intended to provide the end user with practical information regarding the use (and misuse) of the products, and to explain some of the more obscure and potentially confusing aspects of the burned area products and MODIS products in general.
[::Summary of Collection 6 Algorithm and Product Changes]
[::1] The product is now generated using an improved version of the Giglio et al. (2009) MCD64 burned area mapping algorithm (i.e., MCD64A1 will be adopted as the standard MODIS burned area product for Collection 6). The MCD45A1 product will not be generated beyond Collection 5.1.
[::2] The product is generated using Collection 6 (versus Collection 5) surface reflectance and active fire input data.
[::3] General improvement (reduced omission error) in burned area detection.
[::4] Significantly better detection of small burns.
[::5] Modest reduction in burn-date temporal uncertainty.
[::6] Significant reduction in the occurrence of unclassified grid cells due to algorithm changes and refinements in the upstream Collection 6 input data.
[::7] Product coverage expanded from 219 to 268 MODIS tiles.
[::8] Expanded per-pixel quality assurance (QA) product layer.
[::9] MCD64A1 Burn Date layer now uniquely flags missing-data versus water grid cells.
[\textbackslash n] [...]},
keywords = {~INRMM-MiD:z-C4WG74YT,burnt-area,global-scale,modis,open-data,reference-manual,remote-sensing,wildfires}
}
Assessment of Fire Danger Conditions. Chandler, W. G. & Westmore, N. E. 13(1):53–62.
Paper doi abstract bibtex At the Yallourn and Kiewa undertakings of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria, a simple fire danger meter is being used to assist the fire protection staff in their judgment of fire danger conditions in the surrounding forests. On this meter, the fire danger rating is arrived at by adding a burning index, based on weather conditions on the day, to a season index, based on past weather history for the season. The formulae for calculating these indices are empirical, and are based on a study of recorded weather conditions in relation to actual bush fire and controlled burning history, mainly for the Yallourn area, during the summer seasons from 1938 to 1949. This method of fire danger rating fits past experience over this period, it has been used with reliable results over the past two seasons, and it seems to offer a valuable means whereby the forester can check his judgment of the degree of fire danger and the extent to which fire fighting preparedness needs to over-ride normal forestry activities.
@article{chandlerAssessmentFireDanger1949,
title = {Assessment of Fire Danger Conditions},
author = {Chandler, W. G. and Westmore, N. E.},
date = {1949-01},
journaltitle = {Australian Forestry},
volume = {13},
pages = {53--62},
issn = {0004-9158},
doi = {10.1080/00049158.1949.10675766},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1080/00049158.1949.10675766},
abstract = {At the Yallourn and Kiewa undertakings of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria, a simple fire danger meter is being used to assist the fire protection staff in their judgment of fire danger conditions in the surrounding forests. On this meter, the fire danger rating is arrived at by adding a burning index, based on weather conditions on the day, to a season index, based on past weather history for the season. The formulae for calculating these indices are empirical, and are based on a study of recorded weather conditions in relation to actual bush fire and controlled burning history, mainly for the Yallourn area, during the summer seasons from 1938 to 1949. This method of fire danger rating fits past experience over this period, it has been used with reliable results over the past two seasons, and it seems to offer a valuable means whereby the forester can check his judgment of the degree of fire danger and the extent to which fire fighting preparedness needs to over-ride normal forestry activities.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14178710,~to-add-doi-URL,australia,empirical-equation,fire-danger-rating,fire-season,forest-resources,preparedness,shrubs,wildfires},
number = {1}
}
Forest Fire Danger Projections in the Mediterranean Using ENSEMBLES Regional Climate Change Scenarios. Bedia, J., Herrera, S., Camia, A., Moreno, J. M., & Gutiérrez, J. M. 122(1-2):185–199.
Paper doi abstract bibtex We present future fire danger scenarios for the countries bordering the Mediterranean areas of Europe and north Africa building on a multi-model ensemble of state-of-the-art regional climate projections from the EU-funded project ENSEMBLES. Fire danger is estimated using the Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index (FWI) System and a related set of indices. To overcome some of the limitations of ENSEMBLES data for their application on the FWI System – recently highlighted in a previous study by Herrera et al. (Clim Chang 118:827-840, 2013) – we used an optimal proxy variable combination. A robust assessment of future fire danger projections is undertaken by disentangling the climate change signal from the uncertainty derived from the multi-model ensemble, unveiling a positive signal of fire danger potential over large areas of the Mediterranean. The increase in the fire danger signal is accentuated towards the latest part of the transient period, thus pointing to an elevated fire potential in the region with time. The fire-climate links under present and future conditions are further discussed building upon observed climate data and burned area records along a representative climatic gradient within the study region.
@article{bediaForestFireDanger2014,
title = {Forest Fire Danger Projections in the {{Mediterranean}} Using {{ENSEMBLES}} Regional Climate Change Scenarios},
author = {Bedia, J. and Herrera, S. and Camia, A. and Moreno, J. M. and Gutiérrez, J. M.},
date = {2014},
journaltitle = {Climatic Change},
volume = {122},
pages = {185--199},
issn = {1573-1480},
doi = {10.1007/s10584-013-1005-z},
url = {http://mfkp.org/INRMM/article/14160026},
abstract = {We present future fire danger scenarios for the countries bordering the Mediterranean areas of Europe and north Africa building on a multi-model ensemble of state-of-the-art regional climate projections from the EU-funded project ENSEMBLES. Fire danger is estimated using the Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index (FWI) System and a related set of indices. To overcome some of the limitations of ENSEMBLES data for their application on the FWI System -- recently highlighted in a previous study by Herrera et al. (Clim Chang 118:827-840, 2013) -- we used an optimal proxy variable combination. A robust assessment of future fire danger projections is undertaken by disentangling the climate change signal from the uncertainty derived from the multi-model ensemble, unveiling a positive signal of fire danger potential over large areas of the Mediterranean. The increase in the fire danger signal is accentuated towards the latest part of the transient period, thus pointing to an elevated fire potential in the region with time. The fire-climate links under present and future conditions are further discussed building upon observed climate data and burned area records along a representative climatic gradient within the study region.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14160026,~to-add-doi-URL,burnt-area,climate-change,comparison,fire-weather-index,forest-fires,forest-resources,ipcc-scenarios,mediterranean-region,regression,robust-modelling,wildfires},
number = {1-2}
}
Modelling the Effects of a Bushfire on Erosion in a Mediterranean Basin. Di Piazza, G. V., Di Stefano, C., & Ferro, V. 52(6):1253–1270.
Paper doi abstract bibtex A bushfire occurred in the Asinaro River basin in July 1998. The basin area is 55 km2 and about 74\,% of the whole area was set on fire. The aim of this paper is to test the influence of fire on both soil erosion and the spatial distribution of the areas characterized by the greatest sediment yield values. The RUSLE model and a spatial disaggregation criterion for sediment delivery processes (SEDD model) were used to test the effects of the bushfire. The basin was divided into 854 morphological units for calculating the topographic factor. The RUSLE climatic factor R was calculated using daily rainfall data. The soil erodibility factor was determined by sampling at sites distributed over the basin. The model was applied using different climatic hypotheses (mean year, rainfall events subsequent to the fire or occurring after 6, 12, 24 months) and was used to simulate different post-fire conditions of erodibility and vegetation cover. The analysis showed that immediately after fire, sediment yield rapidly increases in comparison to the undisturbed value (pre-fire). According to the hypothesis made on the cover and management factor, after 24 months the undisturbed condition is gradually reached. Résumé Un incendie a sévi dans le bassin versant de la Rivière Asinaro en Juillet 1998. La superficie du bassin est de 55 km2 et environ 74\,% de cette surface ont été incendiés. L'objectif de cet article est de tester l'influence de l'incendie sur l'érosion des sols et sur la distribution spatiale des zones caractérisées par les plus grandes valeurs d'exportation sédimentaire. Le modèle RUSLE et un critère de désagrégation spatiale des processus sédimentaires (modèle SEDD) ont été utilisés pour tester les effets de l'incendie. Le bassin a été divisé en 854 unités morphologiques pour calculer le facteur topographique. Le facteur climatique R de RUSLE a été calculé à l'aide de données journalières de pluie. Le facteur d'érodibilité du sol a été déterminé pour un échantillon de sites répartis au sein du bassin. Le modèle a été appliqué en utilisant différentes hypothèses climatiques (année moyenne, événements de pluie intervenant immédiatement après l'incendie ou après 6, 12, 24 mois) et a été utilisé pour simuler différentes conditions post-incendie d'érodibilité et de couvert végétal. L'analyse montre que l'exportation sédimentaire augmente immédiatement après l'incendie d'environ 100\,% par rapport à la valeur non-perturbée (pré-incendie). L'analyse montre également un retour aux conditions nonperturbées après 24 mois.
@article{dipiazzaModellingEffectsBushfire2007,
title = {Modelling the Effects of a Bushfire on Erosion in a {{Mediterranean}} Basin},
author = {Di Piazza, Gian V. and Di Stefano, Costanza and Ferro, Vito},
date = {2007-12},
journaltitle = {Hydrological Sciences Journal},
volume = {52},
pages = {1253--1270},
issn = {2150-3435},
doi = {10.1623/hysj.52.6.1253},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1623/hysj.52.6.1253},
abstract = {A bushfire occurred in the Asinaro River basin in July 1998. The basin area is 55 km2 and about 74\,\% of the whole area was set on fire. The aim of this paper is to test the influence of fire on both soil erosion and the spatial distribution of the areas characterized by the greatest sediment yield values. The RUSLE model and a spatial disaggregation criterion for sediment delivery processes (SEDD model) were used to test the effects of the bushfire. The basin was divided into 854 morphological units for calculating the topographic factor. The RUSLE climatic factor R was calculated using daily rainfall data. The soil erodibility factor was determined by sampling at sites distributed over the basin. The model was applied using different climatic hypotheses (mean year, rainfall events subsequent to the fire or occurring after 6, 12, 24 months) and was used to simulate different post-fire conditions of erodibility and vegetation cover. The analysis showed that immediately after fire, sediment yield rapidly increases in comparison to the undisturbed value (pre-fire). According to the hypothesis made on the cover and management factor, after 24 months the undisturbed condition is gradually reached. Résumé Un incendie a sévi dans le bassin versant de la Rivière Asinaro en Juillet 1998. La superficie du bassin est de 55 km2 et environ 74\,\% de cette surface ont été incendiés. L'objectif de cet article est de tester l'influence de l'incendie sur l'érosion des sols et sur la distribution spatiale des zones caractérisées par les plus grandes valeurs d'exportation sédimentaire. Le modèle RUSLE et un critère de désagrégation spatiale des processus sédimentaires (modèle SEDD) ont été utilisés pour tester les effets de l'incendie. Le bassin a été divisé en 854 unités morphologiques pour calculer le facteur topographique. Le facteur climatique R de RUSLE a été calculé à l'aide de données journalières de pluie. Le facteur d'érodibilité du sol a été déterminé pour un échantillon de sites répartis au sein du bassin. Le modèle a été appliqué en utilisant différentes hypothèses climatiques (année moyenne, événements de pluie intervenant immédiatement après l'incendie ou après 6, 12, 24 mois) et a été utilisé pour simuler différentes conditions post-incendie d'érodibilité et de couvert végétal. L'analyse montre que l'exportation sédimentaire augmente immédiatement après l'incendie d'environ 100\,\% par rapport à la valeur non-perturbée (pré-incendie). L'analyse montre également un retour aux conditions nonperturbées après 24 mois.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-12116878,integration-techniques,mediterranean-region,risk-assessment,shrubs,soil-erosion,wildfires},
number = {6}
}
Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation in Europe. Feyen, L., Ciscar, J. C., Gosling, S., Ibarreta, D., Soria, A., Dosio, A., Naumann, G., Russo, S., Formetta, G., Forzieri, G., Girardello, M., Spinoni, J., Mentaschi, L., Bisselink, B., Bernhard, J., Gelati, E., Adamovic, M., Guenther, S., De Roo, A., Cammalleri, C., Dottori, F., Bianchi, A., Alfieri, L., Vousdoukas, M., Mongelli, I., Hinkel, J., Ward, P., Costa, H., de Rigo, D., Libertà, G., Houston Durrant, T., San-Miguel-Ayanz, J., Barredo Cano, J. I., Mauri, A., Caudullo, G., Ceccherini, G., Beck, P. S. A., Cescatti, A., Hristov, J., Toreti, A., Pérez Domínguez, I., Dentener, F., Fellmann, T., Elleby, C., Ceglar, A., Fumagalli, D., Niemeyer, S., Cerrani, I., Panarello, L., Bratu, M., Després, J., Szewczyk, W., Matei, N., Mulholland, E., & Olariaga, M. Publications Office of the European Union.
Paper abstract bibtex The JRC PESETA IV study shows that ecosystems, people and economies in the EU will face major impacts from climate change if we do not urgently mitigate greenhouse gas emissions or adapt to climate change. The burden of climate change shows a clear north-south divide, with southern regions in Europe much more impacted, through the effects of extreme heat, water scarcity, drought, forest fires and agriculture losses. Limiting global warming to well below 2°C would considerably reduce climate change impacts in Europe. Adaptation to climate change would further minimize unavoidable impacts in a cost-effective manner, with considerable co-benefits from nature-based solutions.
@book{feyenClimateChangeImpacts2020,
title = {Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation in {{Europe}}},
shorttitle = {Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation in {{Europe}}},
author = {Feyen, Luc and Ciscar, Juan Carlos and Gosling, Simon and Ibarreta, Dolores and Soria, Antonio and Dosio, Alessandro and Naumann, Gustavo and Russo, Simone and Formetta, Giuseppe and Forzieri, Giovanni and Girardello, Marco and Spinoni, Jonathan and Mentaschi, Lorenzo and Bisselink, Bernard and Bernhard, Jeroen and Gelati, Emiliano and Adamovic, Marko and Guenther, Susann and De Roo, Ad and Cammalleri, Carmelo and Dottori, Francesco and Bianchi, Alessandra and Alfieri, Lorenzo and Vousdoukas, Michail and Mongelli, Ignazio and Hinkel, Jochen and Ward, P. and Costa, Hugo and de Rigo, Daneile and Libertà, Giorgio and Houston Durrant, Tracy and San-Miguel-Ayanz, Jesús and Barredo Cano, Jose I. and Mauri, Achille and Caudullo, Giovanni and Ceccherini, Guido and Beck, Pieter S. A. and Cescatti, Alessandro and Hristov, Jordan and Toreti, Andrea and Pérez Domínguez, Ignacio and Dentener, Frank and Fellmann, Thomas and Elleby, Christian and Ceglar, Andrej and Fumagalli, Davide and Niemeyer, Stefan and Cerrani, Iacopo and Panarello, Lorenzo and Bratu, Marian and Després, Jacques and Szewczyk, Wojciech and Matei, N.-Anca and Mulholland, Eamonn and Olariaga, Miguel},
date = {2020-05-15},
publisher = {{Publications Office of the European Union}},
location = {{Luxembourg}},
url = {https://doi.org/10.2760/171121},
urldate = {2020-06-12},
abstract = {The JRC PESETA IV study shows that ecosystems, people and economies in the EU will face major impacts from climate change if we do not urgently mitigate greenhouse gas emissions or adapt to climate change. The burden of climate change shows a clear north-south divide, with southern regions in Europe much more impacted, through the effects of extreme heat, water scarcity, drought, forest fires and agriculture losses. Limiting global warming to well below 2°C would considerably reduce climate change impacts in Europe. Adaptation to climate change would further minimize unavoidable impacts in a cost-effective manner, with considerable co-benefits from nature-based solutions.},
isbn = {978-92-76-18123-1},
keywords = {~INRMM-MiD:z-IFW6DZYI,agricultural-resources,climate-change,disturbances,droughts,ecosystem-change,europe,forest-resources,integrated-modelling,peseta-series,rcp45,rcp85,water-resources,wildfires},
langid = {english},
options = {useprefix=true}
}
Highlighting Biome-Specific Sensitivity of Fire Size Distributions to Time-Gap Parameter Using a New Algorithm for Fire Event Individuation. Oom, D., Silva, P. C., Bistinas, I., & Pereira, J. M. C. 8(8):663+.
Paper doi abstract bibtex Detailed spatial-temporal characterization of individual fire dynamics using remote sensing data is important to understand fire-environment relationships, to support landscape-scale fire risk management, and to obtain improved statistics on fire size distributions over broad areas. Previously, individuation of events to quantify fire size distributions has been performed with the flood-fill algorithm. A key parameter of such algorithms is the time-gap used to cluster spatially adjacent fire-affected pixels and declare them as belonging to the same event. Choice of a time-gap to define a fire event entails several assumptions affecting the degree of clustering/fragmentation of the individual events. We evaluate the impact of different time-gaps on the number, size and spatial distribution of active fire clusters, using a new algorithm. The information produced by this algorithm includes number, size, and ignition date of active fire clusters. The algorithm was tested at a global scale using active fire observations from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). Active fire cluster size distributions were characterized with the Gini coefficient, and the impact of changing time-gap values was analyzed on a 0.5° cell grid. As expected, the number of active fire clusters decreased and their mean size increased with the time-gap value. The largest sensitivity of fire size distributions to time-gap was observed in African tropical savannas and, to a lesser extent, in South America, Southeast Asia, and eastern Siberia. Sensitivity of fire individuation, and thus Gini coefficient values, to time-gap demonstrate the difficulty of individuating fire events in tropical savannas, where coalescence of flame fronts with distinct ignition locations and dates is very common, and fire size distributions strongly depend on algorithm parameterization. Thus, caution should be exercised when attempting to individualize fire events, characterizing their size distributions, and addressing their management implications, particularly in the African savannas.
@article{oomHighlightingBiomespecificSensitivity2016,
title = {Highlighting Biome-Specific Sensitivity of Fire Size Distributions to Time-Gap Parameter Using a New Algorithm for Fire Event Individuation},
author = {Oom, Duarte and Silva, Pedro C. and Bistinas, Ioannis and Pereira, José M. C.},
date = {2016-08},
journaltitle = {Remote Sensing},
volume = {8},
pages = {663+},
doi = {10.3390/rs8080663},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/rs8080663},
urldate = {2019-06-17},
abstract = {Detailed spatial-temporal characterization of individual fire dynamics using remote sensing data is important to understand fire-environment relationships, to support landscape-scale fire risk management, and to obtain improved statistics on fire size distributions over broad areas. Previously, individuation of events to quantify fire size distributions has been performed with the flood-fill algorithm. A key parameter of such algorithms is the time-gap used to cluster spatially adjacent fire-affected pixels and declare them as belonging to the same event. Choice of a time-gap to define a fire event entails several assumptions affecting the degree of clustering/fragmentation of the individual events. We evaluate the impact of different time-gaps on the number, size and spatial distribution of active fire clusters, using a new algorithm. The information produced by this algorithm includes number, size, and ignition date of active fire clusters. The algorithm was tested at a global scale using active fire observations from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). Active fire cluster size distributions were characterized with the Gini coefficient, and the impact of changing time-gap values was analyzed on a 0.5° cell grid. As expected, the number of active fire clusters decreased and their mean size increased with the time-gap value. The largest sensitivity of fire size distributions to time-gap was observed in African tropical savannas and, to a lesser extent, in South America, Southeast Asia, and eastern Siberia. Sensitivity of fire individuation, and thus Gini coefficient values, to time-gap demonstrate the difficulty of individuating fire events in tropical savannas, where coalescence of flame fronts with distinct ignition locations and dates is very common, and fire size distributions strongly depend on algorithm parameterization. Thus, caution should be exercised when attempting to individualize fire events, characterizing their size distributions, and addressing their management implications, particularly in the African savannas.},
keywords = {~INRMM-MiD:z-NHTQAJQP,burnt-area,modis,spatial-spread,wildfires},
langid = {english},
number = {8}
}
Design and Function of the European Forest Fire Information System. McInerney, D., San-Miguel-Ayanz, J., Corti, P., Whitmore, C., Giovando, C., & Camia, A. 79(10):965–973.
Paper doi abstract bibtex The European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) is a modular decision support system that monitors forest fires at a continental scale. It delivers real-time, multi-dimensional data on forest fires to civil protection and fire fighting services in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle-East. Since its inception in 2001, EFFIS has evolved into the central reference point for pan-European forest and wildfire information, and this paper describes and current applications demonstrate the state-of-the-art fire information systems that provide data to civil protection authorities across Europe. The objective of EFFIS is to provide accurate data in order to assess and mitigate the impacts of wildfire events on society and the environment. Furthermore, EFFIS provides real-time information on critical fires, supporting decision making for international collaboration on forest fire fighting activities. Its goal is to make these data readily available using Web-based standards and protocols.
@article{mcinerneyDesignFunctionEuropean2013,
title = {Design and Function of the {{European Forest Fire Information System}}},
author = {McInerney, Daniel and San-Miguel-Ayanz, Jesus and Corti, Paolo and Whitmore, Ceri and Giovando, Cristiano and Camia, Andrea},
date = {2013-10},
journaltitle = {Photogrammetric Engineering \& Remote Sensing},
volume = {79},
pages = {965--973},
issn = {0099-1112},
doi = {10.14358/pers.79.10.965},
url = {https://doi.org/10.14358/pers.79.10.965},
abstract = {The European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) is a modular decision support system that monitors forest fires at a continental scale. It delivers real-time, multi-dimensional data on forest fires to civil protection and fire fighting services in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle-East. Since its inception in 2001, EFFIS has evolved into the central reference point for pan-European forest and wildfire information, and this paper describes and current applications demonstrate the state-of-the-art fire information systems that provide data to civil protection authorities across Europe. The objective of EFFIS is to provide accurate data in order to assess and mitigate the impacts of wildfire events on society and the environment. Furthermore, EFFIS provides real-time information on critical fires, supporting decision making for international collaboration on forest fire fighting activities. Its goal is to make these data readily available using Web-based standards and protocols.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13090546,decision-support-system,effis,europe,forest-fires,forest-resources,wildfires},
number = {10}
}
How to Predict the Spread and Intensity of Forest and Range Fires. Rothermel, R. C. .
Paper abstract bibtex This manual documents procedures for estimating the rate of forward spread, intensity, flame length, and size of fires burning in forests and rangelands. Contains instructions for obtaining fuel and weather data, calculating fire behavior, and interpreting the results for application to actual fire problems.
@report{rothermelHowPredictSpread1983,
title = {How to Predict the Spread and Intensity of Forest and Range Fires},
author = {Rothermel, Richard C.},
date = {1983},
pages = {161},
institution = {{US Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station}},
location = {{Ogden, Utah}},
url = {https://scholar.google.com/scholar?cluster=11183943872848212957},
abstract = {This manual documents procedures for estimating the rate of forward spread, intensity, flame length, and size of fires burning in forests and rangelands. Contains instructions for obtaining fuel and weather data, calculating fire behavior, and interpreting the results for application to actual fire problems.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13477166,environmental-modelling,fire-fuel,forest-resources,modelling,wildfires},
number = {INT-143}
}
Can Air Quality Management Drive Sustainable Fuels Management at the Temperate Wildland–Urban Interface?. Bowman, D., Daniels, L., Johnston, F., Williamson, G., Jolly, W., Magzamen, S., Rappold, A., Brauer, M., & Henderson, S. 1(2):27+.
Paper doi abstract bibtex Sustainable fire management has eluded all industrial societies. Given the growing number and magnitude of wildfire events, prescribed fire is being increasingly promoted as the key to reducing wildfire risk. However, smoke from prescribed fires can adversely affect public health. We propose that the application of air quality standards can lead to the development and adoption of sustainable fire management approaches that lower the risk of economically and ecologically damaging wildfires while improving air quality and reducing climate-forcing emissions. For example, green fire breaks at the wildland–urban interface (WUI) can resist the spread of wildfires into urban areas. These could be created through mechanical thinning of trees, and then maintained by targeted prescribed fire to create biodiverse and aesthetically pleasing landscapes. The harvested woody debris could be used for pellets and other forms of bioenergy in residential space heating and electricity generation. Collectively, such an approach would reduce the negative health impacts of smoke pollution from wildfires, prescribed fires, and combustion of wood for domestic heating. We illustrate such possibilities by comparing current and potential fire management approaches in the temperate and environmentally similar landscapes of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada and the island state of Tasmania in Australia.
@article{bowmanCanAirQuality2018,
title = {Can Air Quality Management Drive Sustainable Fuels Management at the Temperate Wildland–Urban Interface?},
author = {Bowman, David and Daniels, Lori and Johnston, Fay and Williamson, Grant and Jolly, W. and Magzamen, Sheryl and Rappold, Ana and Brauer, Michael and Henderson, Sarah},
date = {2018-08},
journaltitle = {Fire},
volume = {1},
pages = {27+},
issn = {2571-6255},
doi = {10.3390/fire1020027},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/fire1020027},
abstract = {Sustainable fire management has eluded all industrial societies. Given the growing number and magnitude of wildfire events, prescribed fire is being increasingly promoted as the key to reducing wildfire risk. However, smoke from prescribed fires can adversely affect public health. We propose that the application of air quality standards can lead to the development and adoption of sustainable fire management approaches that lower the risk of economically and ecologically damaging wildfires while improving air quality and reducing climate-forcing emissions. For example, green fire breaks at the wildland–urban interface (WUI) can resist the spread of wildfires into urban areas. These could be created through mechanical thinning of trees, and then maintained by targeted prescribed fire to create biodiverse and aesthetically pleasing landscapes. The harvested woody debris could be used for pellets and other forms of bioenergy in residential space heating and electricity generation. Collectively, such an approach would reduce the negative health impacts of smoke pollution from wildfires, prescribed fires, and combustion of wood for domestic heating. We illustrate such possibilities by comparing current and potential fire management approaches in the temperate and environmentally similar landscapes of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada and the island state of Tasmania in Australia.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14666704,air-pollution,fire-fuel,fire-management,forest-resources,human-health,prescribed-burn,smoke,thinning,wildfires,wildland-urban-interface},
number = {2}
}
EIP-AGRI Focus Group on Forest Practices and Climate Change: Final Report. Lindner, M., Guimarey Fernández, B., Raa, I., Atkinson, G., Blennow, K., Blujdea, V. N., Calado, N., da Conceição, S. M., Doblas Miranda, E., Ecker, J., Holmberg, G., Horst, A., Kašpar, J., Pantera, A., Picard, O., Picos, J., Sarvaš, M., Schwichtenberg, G., Stover, D., Tsartsou, E., Turok, J., Valentar, V., & Ventura, A. European Innovation Partnership "Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability" (EIP-AGRI).
Paper abstract bibtex [Summary] Climate change poses a major challenge to society in the 21st century. In 2018 we experienced extensive drought especially in Central and Northern Europe, deadly forest fires in Greece (and across the globe in California), fire damages in untypical regions including the UK, Latvia and Germany, as well as bark beetle damages that seriously threaten sustainable forest management in some central and east European countries. [] The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change alerted the public that we need to step up our ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions if we wish to avoid dangerous climate change. Several reports underlined that achieving the Paris Agreement of December 2015 of limiting climate warming under 2 °C (preferably under 1.5 °C) will hardly be possible without effectively using the potential of forests and the forest sector to contribute to climate change mitigation. [] This was the backdrop for the Focus Group on 'New forest practices and tools for adaptation and mitigation of climate change'. 20 experts from different regions in Europe gathered to identify forest practices & tools to tackle climate change and to explore successful experiences and innovation in practice. The group discussed how adaptation strategies are selected and implemented, collected experiences on the use of decision support tools at the science-practice interface and reflected on training approaches and ways of sharing experiences. [] The challenges posed by climate change, although global, show strong regional differences. Considering the diversity of forest types and different management traditions across Europe, climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies must fit region-specific climate change projections and local circumstances. This report summarises the work of the Focus group. 10 Minipapers presented recommendations and innovative practices spanning a range of topics: [::] Forest management at stand level [::1.] Small scale forest management [::2.] Climate smart silviculture and genetic resources [::3.] Decision Support Systems (DSS) and tools [::] Scaling up management and tackling climate change risks [::1.] Integrated landscape management [::2.] Early warning and innovative risk management [::] Fostering adaptation and mitigation by promoting good practices [::1.] Forest fires prevention [::2.] Economic incentives as trigger to promote adaptation: Climate Smart Silviculture and payment for ecosystem services (PES) [::3.] Innovative value chains to enhance climate change mitigation [::] Knowledge exchange beyond the forest community [::1.] Science-Policy-Practice knowledge exchange [::2.] Effective communication for mitigation of climate change and adaptation to its impacts [] The group identified a number of ideas for Operational Groups to bring innovation into practice: [::] Explore methods to boost the use of broadleaf species by increasing their potential in forest regeneration [::] Develop or gather resources and tools to foster local adaptation in forest management by enhancing awareness and peer to peer learning [::] Test methods to improve assisted regeneration or afforestation in drought prone areas [::] Develop a user-friendly early warning system on local forest health issues which can assess the situation and raise the alarm when necessary [::] Explore ways to enhance landscape management by helping individuals to make decisions aligned with strategies to fight climate change [::] Develop collective and effective plans to mitigate climate change effects (drought, forest fires), promote actions for ecosystem resilience and/or increase awareness of all actors [::] Analysis of mitigation options along specific value chains (e.g. for pine) to improve carbon balance [] To foster innovative practices in climate change adaptation and mitigation the following research needs were prioritised: [::] Local/regional guidelines for the implementation of innovative silvicultural practices to adapt the forests to the expected future conditions [::] How to make climate change adaptation incentives more effective and efficient? [::] Study carbon dynamics related to the fire regime: forest species (fire prone vs resistant), land uses and practices (e.g. monocultures, agroforestry) and management options (e.g. wild vs prescribed fire) [::] Evaluation of how to institutionalise knowledge exchange, including a forester exchange programme [::] Participatory research on climate change effects and measures that can be taken at farm/plot level [::] Characterisation of existing collective approaches effectively improving forest management in a context of climate change [] [...]
@book{lindnerEIPAGRIFocusGroup2019,
title = {{{EIP}}-{{AGRI Focus Group}} on {{Forest}} Practices and Climate Change: Final Report},
author = {Lindner, Marcus and Guimarey Fernández, Beatriz and Raa, Iiri and Atkinson, Gail and Blennow, Kristina and Blujdea, Viorel N. and Calado, Nuno and da Conceição, Silva M. and Doblas Miranda, Enrique and Ecker, Jörg and Holmberg, Gunilla and Horst, Alexander and Kašpar, Jan and Pantera, Anastasia and Picard, Olivier and Picos, Juan and Sarvaš, Milan and Schwichtenberg, Guido and Stover, Daniel and Tsartsou, Evangelia and Turok, Jozef and Valentar, Veronika and Ventura, Ana},
editor = {Lindner, Marcus and Guimarey Fernández, Beatriz and Raa, Iiri},
date = {2019-01},
publisher = {{European Innovation Partnership "Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability" (EIP-AGRI)}},
location = {{Brussels, Belgium}},
url = {https://ec.europa.eu/eip/agriculture/sites/agri-eip/files/eip-agri_fg_forest_practices_climate_change_final_report_2018_en.pdf},
abstract = {[Summary]
Climate change poses a major challenge to society in the 21st century. In 2018 we experienced extensive drought especially in Central and Northern Europe, deadly forest fires in Greece (and across the globe in California), fire damages in untypical regions including the UK, Latvia and Germany, as well as bark beetle damages that seriously threaten sustainable forest management in some central and east European countries.
[] The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change alerted the public that we need to step up our ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions if we wish to avoid dangerous climate change. Several reports underlined that achieving the Paris Agreement of December 2015 of limiting climate warming under 2 °C (preferably under 1.5 °C) will hardly be possible without effectively using the potential of forests and the forest sector to contribute to climate change mitigation.
[] This was the backdrop for the Focus Group on 'New forest practices and tools for adaptation and mitigation of climate change'. 20 experts from different regions in Europe gathered to identify forest practices \& tools to tackle climate change and to explore successful experiences and innovation in practice. The group discussed how adaptation strategies are selected and implemented, collected experiences on the use of decision support tools at the science-practice interface and reflected on training approaches and ways of sharing experiences.
[] The challenges posed by climate change, although global, show strong regional differences. Considering the diversity of forest types and different management traditions across Europe, climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies must fit region-specific climate change projections and local circumstances. This report summarises the work of the Focus group. 10 Minipapers presented recommendations and innovative practices spanning a range of topics:
[::] Forest management at stand level [::1.] Small scale forest management [::2.] Climate smart silviculture and genetic resources [::3.] Decision Support Systems (DSS) and tools
[::] Scaling up management and tackling climate change risks [::1.] Integrated landscape management [::2.] Early warning and innovative risk management
[::] Fostering adaptation and mitigation by promoting good practices [::1.] Forest fires prevention [::2.] Economic incentives as trigger to promote adaptation: Climate Smart Silviculture and payment for ecosystem services (PES) [::3.] Innovative value chains to enhance climate change mitigation
[::] Knowledge exchange beyond the forest community [::1.] Science-Policy-Practice knowledge exchange [::2.] Effective communication for mitigation of climate change and adaptation to its impacts
[] The group identified a number of ideas for Operational Groups to bring innovation into practice:
[::] Explore methods to boost the use of broadleaf species by increasing their potential in forest regeneration
[::] Develop or gather resources and tools to foster local adaptation in forest management by enhancing awareness and peer to peer learning
[::] Test methods to improve assisted regeneration or afforestation in drought prone areas
[::] Develop a user-friendly early warning system on local forest health issues which can assess the situation and raise the alarm when necessary
[::] Explore ways to enhance landscape management by helping individuals to make decisions aligned with strategies to fight climate change
[::] Develop collective and effective plans to mitigate climate change effects (drought, forest fires), promote actions for ecosystem resilience and/or increase awareness of all actors
[::] Analysis of mitigation options along specific value chains (e.g. for pine) to improve carbon balance
[] To foster innovative practices in climate change adaptation and mitigation the following research needs were prioritised:
[::] Local/regional guidelines for the implementation of innovative silvicultural practices to adapt the forests to the expected future conditions
[::] How to make climate change adaptation incentives more effective and efficient?
[::] Study carbon dynamics related to the fire regime: forest species (fire prone vs resistant), land uses and practices (e.g. monocultures, agroforestry) and management options (e.g. wild vs prescribed fire)
[::] Evaluation of how to institutionalise knowledge exchange, including a forester exchange programme
[::] Participatory research on climate change effects and measures that can be taken at farm/plot level
[::] Characterisation of existing collective approaches effectively improving forest management in a context of climate change
[] [...]},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14683351,adaptation,afforestation,agricultural-resources,agroforestry,climate-change,droughts,ecosystem-resilience,education,europe,fire-regimes,forest-fires,forest-management,forest-regeneration,forest-resources,land-use,mitigation,participation,practice,prescribed-burn,scientific-communication,wildfires},
options = {useprefix=true},
pagetotal = {36}
}
Temperature as a Potent Driver of Regional Forest Drought Stress and Tree Mortality. Williams, A. P., Allen, C. D., Macalady, A. K., Griffin, D., Woodhouse, C. A., Meko, D. M., Swetnam, T. W., Rauscher, S. A., Seager, R., Grissino-Mayer, H. D., Dean, J. S., Cook, E. R., Gangodagamage, C., Cai, M., & McDowell, N. G. 3(3):292–297.
Paper doi abstract bibtex As the climate changes, drought may reduce tree productivity and survival across many forest ecosystems; however, the relative influence of specific climate parameters on forest decline is poorly understood. We derive a forest drought-stress index (FDSI) for the southwestern United States using a comprehensive tree-ring data set representing AD 1000-2007. The FDSI is approximately equally influenced by the warm-season vapour-pressure deficit (largely controlled by temperature) and cold-season precipitation, together explaining 82\,% of the FDSI variability. Correspondence between the FDSI and measures of forest productivity, mortality, bark-beetle outbreak and wildfire validate the FDSI as a holistic forest-vigour indicator. If the vapour-pressure deficit continues increasing as projected by climate models, the mean forest drought-stress by the 2050s will exceed that of the most severe droughts in the past 1,000 years. Collectively, the results foreshadow twenty-first-century changes in forest structures and compositions, with transition of forests in the southwestern United States, and perhaps water-limited forests globally, towards distributions unfamiliar to modern civilization.
@article{williamsTemperaturePotentDriver2012,
title = {Temperature as a Potent Driver of Regional Forest Drought Stress and Tree Mortality},
author = {Williams, A. Park and Allen, Craig D. and Macalady, Alison K. and Griffin, Daniel and Woodhouse, Connie A. and Meko, David M. and Swetnam, Thomas W. and Rauscher, Sara A. and Seager, Richard and Grissino-Mayer, Henri D. and Dean, Jeffrey S. and Cook, Edward R. and Gangodagamage, Chandana and Cai, Michael and McDowell, Nate G.},
date = {2012-09},
journaltitle = {Nature Climate Change},
volume = {3},
pages = {292--297},
issn = {1758-678X},
doi = {10.1038/nclimate1693},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate1693},
abstract = {As the climate changes, drought may reduce tree productivity and survival across many forest ecosystems; however, the relative influence of specific climate parameters on forest decline is poorly understood. We derive a forest drought-stress index (FDSI) for the southwestern United States using a comprehensive tree-ring data set representing AD 1000-2007. The FDSI is approximately equally influenced by the warm-season vapour-pressure deficit (largely controlled by temperature) and cold-season precipitation, together explaining 82\,\% of the FDSI variability. Correspondence between the FDSI and measures of forest productivity, mortality, bark-beetle outbreak and wildfire validate the FDSI as a holistic forest-vigour indicator. If the vapour-pressure deficit continues increasing as projected by climate models, the mean forest drought-stress by the 2050s will exceed that of the most severe droughts in the past 1,000 years. Collectively, the results foreshadow twenty-first-century changes in forest structures and compositions, with transition of forests in the southwestern United States, and perhaps water-limited forests globally, towards distributions unfamiliar to modern civilization.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-11354245,a2-high-emission-scenario,bark-beetle,climate-change,climate-projections,droughts,forest-pests,forest-resources,global-warming,temperature,tree-mortality,wildfires},
number = {3}
}
The Concept of Fire Environment. Countryman, C. M. 64(1):49–52.
Paper abstract bibtex Fire environment is the complex of fuel, topographic, and airmass factors that influences or modifies the inception, growth, and behavior of fire.
@article{countrymanConceptFireEnvironment2004,
title = {The Concept of Fire Environment},
author = {Countryman, C. M.},
date = {2004},
journaltitle = {Fire Management today},
volume = {64},
pages = {49--52},
url = {http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/fmt/fmt_pdfs/fmt64-1.pdf},
abstract = {Fire environment is the complex of fuel, topographic, and airmass factors that influences or modifies the inception, growth, and behavior of fire.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-12031254,environmental-modelling,fire-fuel,forest-fires,forest-resources,meteorology,topography,wildfires},
number = {1}
}
Unravelling the Response of Diurnal Raptors to Land Use Change in a Highly Dynamic Landscape in Northwestern Spain: An Approach Based on Satellite Earth Observation Data. Tapia, L., Regos, A., Gil-Carrera, A., & Doḿınguez, J. 63(2):1–15.
Paper doi abstract bibtex Land use and land cover change (LULCC) is one of the main components of current anthropogenic global change. Unravelling the ecological response of biodiversity to the combined effect of land use change and other stressors is essential for effective conservation. For this purpose, we used co-inertia analysis to combine LULCC analysis of earth observation satellite data-derived maps and raptor data obtained from road censuses conducted in 2001 and 2014 at sampling unit level (10 km2 spatial resolution), in northwestern Spain (province of Ourense, c. 7281 km2). In addition, habitat suitability models were also computed using ten widely used single-modelling techniques providing an ensemble of predictions at landscape level (four spatial resolutions: 500-m, 1-km, 2-km and 5-km radius around each sighting) for each year and raptor species to analyse the habitat suitability changes in the whole study area through three niche overlap indices. The models revealed an increase in occurrence and habitat suitability of forest raptor species coupled with a strong decrease in species associated with open habitats, mainly heaths and shrub formations. Open-habitat specialist species were negatively affected by the concomitant effects of intensive forest management and a long-lasting trend of rural abandonment coupled with an unusually high frequency of wildfires. Sustainable forest management and agricultural practices should be encouraged by both public and private sectors, through, e.g. policies related to European funds for rural and regional development (FEDER and FEADER programs) to effectively protect threatened habitats and species, and to comply with current environmental legislation. The combined use of satellite imagery and ground-level biodiversity data proved to be a cost-effective and systematic method for monitoring priority habitats and their species in highly dynamic landscapes.
@article{tapiaUnravellingResponseDiurnal2017,
title = {Unravelling the Response of Diurnal Raptors to Land Use Change in a Highly Dynamic Landscape in Northwestern {{Spain}}: An Approach Based on Satellite Earth Observation Data},
author = {Tapia, L. and Regos, A. and Gil-Carrera, A. and Doḿınguez, J.},
date = {2017},
journaltitle = {European Journal of Wildlife Research},
volume = {63},
pages = {1--15},
issn = {1439-0574},
doi = {10.1007/s10344-017-1097-2},
url = {https://scholar.google.com/scholar?cluster=3444218436467868660},
abstract = {Land use and land cover change (LULCC) is one of the main components of current anthropogenic global change. Unravelling the ecological response of biodiversity to the combined effect of land use change and other stressors is essential for effective conservation. For this purpose, we used co-inertia analysis to combine LULCC analysis of earth observation satellite data-derived maps and raptor data obtained from road censuses conducted in 2001 and 2014 at sampling unit level (10 km2 spatial resolution), in northwestern Spain (province of Ourense, c. 7281 km2). In addition, habitat suitability models were also computed using ten widely used single-modelling techniques providing an ensemble of predictions at landscape level (four spatial resolutions: 500-m, 1-km, 2-km and 5-km radius around each sighting) for each year and raptor species to analyse the habitat suitability changes in the whole study area through three niche overlap indices. The models revealed an increase in occurrence and habitat suitability of forest raptor species coupled with a strong decrease in species associated with open habitats, mainly heaths and shrub formations. Open-habitat specialist species were negatively affected by the concomitant effects of intensive forest management and a long-lasting trend of rural abandonment coupled with an unusually high frequency of wildfires. Sustainable forest management and agricultural practices should be encouraged by both public and private sectors, through, e.g. policies related to European funds for rural and regional development (FEDER and FEADER programs) to effectively protect threatened habitats and species, and to comply with current environmental legislation. The combined use of satellite imagery and ground-level biodiversity data proved to be a cost-effective and systematic method for monitoring priority habitats and their species in highly dynamic landscapes.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14517572,agricultural-abandonment,biodiversity,buteo-buteo,circaetus-gallicus,circus-pygargus,falco-tinnunculus,forest-fires,forest-resources,habitat-conservation,habitat-suitability,hieraaetus-pennatus,land-use,land-use-dynamics,land-use-land-cover-changes,landscape-dynamics,logging,milvus-migrans,pernis-apivorus,remote-sensing,spain,wildfires},
number = {2}
}
Wildland Fire Emissions, Carbon, and Climate: Science Overview and Knowledge Needs. Sommers, W. T., Loehman, R. A., & Hardy, C. C. 317:1–8.
Paper doi abstract bibtex [Highlights] [::] Wildland fires have influenced the global carbon cycle for ∼420 million years. [::] Fire moves carbon among terrestrial and atmospheric pools. [::] Fires emit carbon dioxide (CO2), black carbon and other aerosols. [::] Climate change alters fire regimes, potentially increasing wildfire emissions. [::] The global carbon cycle accounting should include wildland fire emissions. [Abstract] Wildland fires have influenced the global carbon cycle for ∼420 million years of Earth history, interacting with climate to define vegetation characteristics and distributions, trigger abrupt ecosystem shifts, and move carbon among terrestrial and atmospheric pools. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the dominant driver of ongoing climate change and the principal emissions component of wildland fires, while black carbon and other aerosols found in fire emissions contribute to uncertainties in climate projections. Fire emissions research to date has been focused on developing knowledge for air pollution regulatory needs and for assessing global climate impacts. Quantifying wildland fire emissions is difficult because their amount and chemical composition vary greatly among fires depending on the amount and type of combusted fuel, its structure, arrangement, chemistry, and condition, and meteorological conditions during the fire. Prediction of potential future wildland fire emissions requires integration of complex interactions of climate, fire, and vegetation; e.g., inference about the direct effects of climate changes on vegetation (fuel) distribution, amount, and condition; direct effects on fire occurrence, behavior, and effects; and feedbacks of altered fire regimes to vegetation and the climate system. Proposed climate change mitigation strategies include management of forests for increased carbon sequestration, and because wildland fires are a key component of the carbon cycle, fire ecology, behavior, and fire effects must be accounted for in these strategies. An understanding of the complex relationships and feedbacks among climate, fire regimes, and fire emissions is needed to account for the importance of fire in the carbon cycle and wildfire and carbon feedbacks to the global climate system. Fire ecology and fire emissions science is thus a necessary component for adaptively managing landscapes and for accurately assessing the long-term effectiveness of carbon sequestration projects. This overview for a special issue on wildland fire emissions, carbon, and climate summarizes eight companion papers that describe the current state of knowledge, critical knowledge gaps, and importance of fire emissions for global climate and terrestrial carbon cycling. The goal is to foster understanding of complex fire emission system dynamics and feedbacks.
@article{sommersWildlandFireEmissions2014,
title = {Wildland Fire Emissions, Carbon, and Climate: Science Overview and Knowledge Needs},
author = {Sommers, William T. and Loehman, Rachel A. and Hardy, Colin C.},
date = {2014-04},
journaltitle = {Forest Ecology and Management},
volume = {317},
pages = {1--8},
issn = {0378-1127},
doi = {10.1016/j.foreco.2013.12.014},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2013.12.014},
abstract = {[Highlights]
[::] Wildland fires have influenced the global carbon cycle for ∼420 million years. [::] Fire moves carbon among terrestrial and atmospheric pools. [::] Fires emit carbon dioxide (CO2), black carbon and other aerosols. [::] Climate change alters fire regimes, potentially increasing wildfire emissions. [::] The global carbon cycle accounting should include wildland fire emissions.
[Abstract]
Wildland fires have influenced the global carbon cycle for ∼420 million years of Earth history, interacting with climate to define vegetation characteristics and distributions, trigger abrupt ecosystem shifts, and move carbon among terrestrial and atmospheric pools. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the dominant driver of ongoing climate change and the principal emissions component of wildland fires, while black carbon and other aerosols found in fire emissions contribute to uncertainties in climate projections. Fire emissions research to date has been focused on developing knowledge for air pollution regulatory needs and for assessing global climate impacts. Quantifying wildland fire emissions is difficult because their amount and chemical composition vary greatly among fires depending on the amount and type of combusted fuel, its structure, arrangement, chemistry, and condition, and meteorological conditions during the fire. Prediction of potential future wildland fire emissions requires integration of complex interactions of climate, fire, and vegetation; e.g., inference about the direct effects of climate changes on vegetation (fuel) distribution, amount, and condition; direct effects on fire occurrence, behavior, and effects; and feedbacks of altered fire regimes to vegetation and the climate system. Proposed climate change mitigation strategies include management of forests for increased carbon sequestration, and because wildland fires are a key component of the carbon cycle, fire ecology, behavior, and fire effects must be accounted for in these strategies. An understanding of the complex relationships and feedbacks among climate, fire regimes, and fire emissions is needed to account for the importance of fire in the carbon cycle and wildfire and carbon feedbacks to the global climate system. Fire ecology and fire emissions science is thus a necessary component for adaptively managing landscapes and for accurately assessing the long-term effectiveness of carbon sequestration projects. This overview for a special issue on wildland fire emissions, carbon, and climate summarizes eight companion papers that describe the current state of knowledge, critical knowledge gaps, and importance of fire emissions for global climate and terrestrial carbon cycling. The goal is to foster understanding of complex fire emission system dynamics and feedbacks.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14214532,~to-add-doi-URL,carbon-cycle,carbon-emissions,climate,climate-change,fire-emissions,wildfires}
}
Predicting Wildfires. Andrews, P., Finney, M., & Fischetti, M. 297(2):46–55.
Paper doi abstract bibtex The number of catastrophic wildfires in the U.S. has been steadily rising. The nation has spent more than \$1 billion annually to suppress such fires in eight of the past 10 years. In 2005 a record 8.7 million acres burned, only to be succeeded by 9.9 million acres in 2006. And this year is off to a furious start. To a great extent, the increase in fires stems from a buildup of excess fuel, particularly deadwood and underbrush. Forests harbor more fuel than ever in large part because for decades, land management agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service, have followed a policy of trying to quickly put out every fire that starts. Fires, however, can clear out debris, preventing material from accumulating across wide areas and feeding extremely large, intense fires that become impossible to fight. Even in the absence of such a policy, firefighters find themselves compelled to combat many blazes because people continue to build homes further into wildlands, and those structures require protection. Exacerbating the problem, spring snowmelts have been occurring earlier, extending the number of weeks every year when forests are exposed and dangerously dry.
@article{andrewsPredictingWildfires2007,
title = {Predicting {{Wildfires}}},
author = {Andrews, Patricia and Finney, Mark and Fischetti, Mark},
date = {2007-08},
journaltitle = {Scientific American},
volume = {297},
pages = {46--55},
issn = {0036-8733},
doi = {10.1038/scientificamerican0807-46},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/scientificamerican0807-46},
abstract = {The number of catastrophic wildfires in the U.S. has been steadily rising. The nation has spent more than \$1 billion annually to suppress such fires in eight of the past 10 years. In 2005 a record 8.7 million acres burned, only to be succeeded by 9.9 million acres in 2006. And this year is off to a furious start. To a great extent, the increase in fires stems from a buildup of excess fuel, particularly deadwood and underbrush. Forests harbor more fuel than ever in large part because for decades, land management agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service, have followed a policy of trying to quickly put out every fire that starts. Fires, however, can clear out debris, preventing material from accumulating across wide areas and feeding extremely large, intense fires that become impossible to fight. Even in the absence of such a policy, firefighters find themselves compelled to combat many blazes because people continue to build homes further into wildlands, and those structures require protection. Exacerbating the problem, spring snowmelts have been occurring earlier, extending the number of weeks every year when forests are exposed and dangerously dry.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-12131831,climate,climate-projections,data-integration,ecosystem,emergency-events,environmental-modelling,integrated-modelling,integration-techniques,modelling,wildfires},
number = {2}
}
Forest Fires. San-Miguel-Ayanz, J., Steinbrecher, R., Ferreiro, A., Woodfield, M., & Simpson, D. In EMEP/EEA Air Pollutant Emission Inventory Guidebook 2016 - Technical Guidance to Prepare National Emission Inventories, volume 21/2016, of EEA Report Series, pages 11.B+. Publications Office of the European Union.
Paper doi abstract bibtex [Excerpt: Overview] This chapter describes emissions from (naturally or man-induced) burning of non-managed and managed forests and other vegetation, excluding agricultural burning of stubble, etc. This includes domestic fires (fuel wood-, crop residue-, dung and charcoal burning) as well as open vegetation fires (forest, shrub- , grass- and cropland burning). According to Barbosa (2006, personal communication), 95 % of the forest fires in the Mediterranean region are related to human impact (negligence, arson, etc.). For the boreal area, Molicone et al. (2006) estimate 87 % of forest fires to be caused by human influence. Only a small portion of open vegetation fires is caused by natural phenomena such as lightning (Koppman et al., 2005). [] The relative contribution of (open and domestic) biomass burning emissions to the global annual emission for CO is ̃ 25 %, for NOx ̃ 18 % and for non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC) and CH4 ̃ 6 % (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), 2001). In Europe however, the contribution to total emissions is much lower, since the vast majority of fires occur in tropical regions. [] Several studies on global emissions from open vegetation fires carried out by Van der Werf et al. (2006), Hoelzemann et al. (2004) and Ito and Penner (2004) give emissions of 2 000 Tg C, 1 700 Tg C and 1 300 Tg C respectively for the year 2000 (cited in van der Werf et al., 2006). The inter-annual variation can be high. Van der Werf et al. (2006) calculated a minimum of 2 000 Tg C for the year 2000 and a maximum of 3 200 Tg C for 1998 within the eight-year period 1997-2004. Only a small part of these emissions 8-25 Tg C, with a minimum in 1998 and the maximum in the year 2000, take place in Europe. [] According to the Corinair90 inventory, forest fires account for 0.2 % of European NOx emissions, 0.5 % of NMVOC, 1.9 % of CO emissions and 0.1 % of NH3 emissions. The contribution to the total emissions is small, but uncertainties are very large. Since fires occur over short periods of time, emissions may significantly contribute to ground-level concentrations during these events. According to the European Fire Information System (http://effis.jrc.it/ ), the CO2 emissions during recent catastrophic fires in Greece was in the range of 4.5 Mt until end of August 2007, representing some 4 % of the total annual CO2 emissions of this country. A similar share of fire emissions to total emissions of CO2 were also observed in Portugal during heavy fire campaigns in 2003 and 2005 (Barbosa et al. 2006). For August 2003, the contribution of wildfire emissions in South Europe of observed particulate levels of PM2.5 appeared to be comparable to anthropogenic emissions, with significant impact on radiative properties in large areas of Europe (Hodzic et al. 2007). [] [...]
@incollection{san-miguel-ayanzForestFires2016,
title = {Forest Fires},
booktitle = {{{EMEP}}/{{EEA}} Air Pollutant Emission Inventory Guidebook 2016 - {{Technical}} Guidance to Prepare National Emission Inventories},
author = {San-Miguel-Ayanz, Jesús and Steinbrecher, Rainer and Ferreiro, Antonio and Woodfield, Mike and Simpson, David},
date = {2016},
volume = {21/2016},
pages = {11.B+},
publisher = {{Publications Office of the European Union}},
location = {{Luxembourg}},
issn = {1977-8449},
doi = {10.2800/247535},
url = {http://mfkp.org/INRMM/article/14448330},
abstract = {[Excerpt: Overview]
This chapter describes emissions from (naturally or man-induced) burning of non-managed and managed forests and other vegetation, excluding agricultural burning of stubble, etc. This includes domestic fires (fuel wood-, crop residue-, dung and charcoal burning) as well as open vegetation fires (forest, shrub- , grass- and cropland burning). According to Barbosa (2006, personal communication), 95 \% of the forest fires in the Mediterranean region are related to human impact (negligence, arson, etc.). For the boreal area, Molicone et al. (2006) estimate 87 \% of forest fires to be caused by human influence. Only a small portion of open vegetation fires is caused by natural phenomena such as lightning (Koppman et al., 2005).
[] The relative contribution of (open and domestic) biomass burning emissions to the global annual emission for CO is ̃ 25 \%, for NOx ̃ 18 \% and for non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC) and CH4 ̃ 6 \% (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), 2001). In Europe however, the contribution to total emissions is much lower, since the vast majority of fires occur in tropical regions.
[] Several studies on global emissions from open vegetation fires carried out by Van der Werf et al. (2006), Hoelzemann et al. (2004) and Ito and Penner (2004) give emissions of 2 000 Tg C, 1 700 Tg C and 1 300 Tg C respectively for the year 2000 (cited in van der Werf et al., 2006). The inter-annual variation can be high. Van der Werf et al. (2006) calculated a minimum of 2 000 Tg C for the year 2000 and a maximum of 3 200 Tg C for 1998 within the eight-year period 1997-2004. Only a small part of these emissions 8-25 Tg C, with a minimum in 1998 and the maximum in the year 2000, take place in Europe.
[] According to the Corinair90 inventory, forest fires account for 0.2 \% of European NOx emissions, 0.5 \% of NMVOC, 1.9 \% of CO emissions and 0.1 \% of NH3 emissions. The contribution to the total emissions is small, but uncertainties are very large. Since fires occur over short periods of time, emissions may significantly contribute to ground-level concentrations during these events. According to the European Fire Information System (http://effis.jrc.it/ ), the CO2 emissions during recent catastrophic fires in Greece was in the range of 4.5 Mt until end of August 2007, representing some 4 \% of the total annual CO2 emissions of this country. A similar share of fire emissions to total emissions of CO2 were also observed in Portugal during heavy fire campaigns in 2003 and 2005 (Barbosa et al. 2006). For August 2003, the contribution of wildfire emissions in South Europe of observed particulate levels of PM2.5 appeared to be comparable to anthropogenic emissions, with significant impact on radiative properties in large areas of Europe (Hodzic et al. 2007).
[] [...]},
isbn = {978-92-9213-806-6},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14448330,~to-add-doi-URL,biomass,carbon-emissions,combustion-emissions,dead-wood,fire-emissions,fire-fuel,forest-fires,forest-resources,wildfires},
series = {{{EEA Report}} Series}
}
The Effects of Wildfire on Soil Wettability and Hydrological Behaviour of an Afforested Catchment. Scott, D. F. & Van Wyk, D. B. 121(1-4):239–256.
Paper doi abstract bibtex A wildfire in February 1986 destroyed most of an afforested research catchment in the southwestern Cape region of South Africa. The hydrological consequences of the fire were quantified using monitored pre-fire and post-fire stream flow and sediment data from the burned catchment and a nearby control catchment. Soil loss and soil wettability were also measured. In the first year after the fire, weekly stream flow totals increased by 12\,%, quick flow volumes increased by 201\,%, peak flow rates increased by 290\,% and catchment response ratio increased by 242\,%. Soil loss on overland flow plots ranged from 10 to 26 t ha-1, and suspended sediment and bedload yields each increased roughly four-fold following the fire. Wettability of the soils was greatly reduced by the passage of fire. Surface soil layers (0-10 mm) were burned clean of any inherent water repellency by the passage of a hot fire, but more severe repellency, in broader bands, was induced in deeper soil levels by the heating of the soil. It is postulated that the widespread development of water repellency in the soil led to overland flow during larger rainstorms, which in turn caused the markedly altered hydrological behaviour of the catchment and the high soil losses relative to the unburned condition.
@article{scottEffectsWildfireSoil1990,
title = {The Effects of Wildfire on Soil Wettability and Hydrological Behaviour of an Afforested Catchment},
author = {Scott, D. F. and Van Wyk, D. B.},
date = {1990-12},
journaltitle = {Journal of Hydrology},
volume = {121},
pages = {239--256},
issn = {0022-1694},
doi = {10.1016/0022-1694(90)90234-o},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-1694(90)90234-o},
abstract = {A wildfire in February 1986 destroyed most of an afforested research catchment in the southwestern Cape region of South Africa. The hydrological consequences of the fire were quantified using monitored pre-fire and post-fire stream flow and sediment data from the burned catchment and a nearby control catchment. Soil loss and soil wettability were also measured. In the first year after the fire, weekly stream flow totals increased by 12\,\%, quick flow volumes increased by 201\,\%, peak flow rates increased by 290\,\% and catchment response ratio increased by 242\,\%. Soil loss on overland flow plots ranged from 10 to 26 t ha-1, and suspended sediment and bedload yields each increased roughly four-fold following the fire. Wettability of the soils was greatly reduced by the passage of fire. Surface soil layers (0-10 mm) were burned clean of any inherent water repellency by the passage of a hot fire, but more severe repellency, in broader bands, was induced in deeper soil levels by the heating of the soil. It is postulated that the widespread development of water repellency in the soil led to overland flow during larger rainstorms, which in turn caused the markedly altered hydrological behaviour of the catchment and the high soil losses relative to the unburned condition.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-12686844,forest-resources,postfire-impacts,river-flow,runoff,soil-erosion,soil-resources,water-resources,wildfires},
number = {1-4}
}
Predicting Conifer Establishment Post Wildfire in Mixed Conifer Forests of the North American Mediterranean-Climate Zone. Welch, K. R., Safford, H. D., & Young, T. P. 7(12):e01609+.
Paper doi abstract bibtex Due to fire suppression policies, timber harvest, and other management practices over the last century, many low- to mid-elevation forests in semiarid parts of the western United States have accumulated high fuel loads and dense, multi-layered canopies that are dominated by shade-tolerant and fire-sensitive conifers. To a great extent, the future status of western US forests will depend on tree species' responses to patterns and trends in fire activity and fire behavior and postfire management decisions. This is especially the case in the North American Mediterranean-climate zone (NAMCZ), which supports the highest precipitation variability in North America and a 4- to 6-month annual drought, and has seen greater-than-average increases in air temperature and fire activity over the last three decades. We established 1490 survey plots in 14 burned areas on 10 National Forests across a range of elevations, forest types, and fire severities in the central and northern NAMCZ to provide insight into factors that promote natural tree regeneration after wildfires and the differences in postfire responses of the most common conifer species. We measured site characteristics, seedling densities, woody shrub, and tree growth. We specified a zero-inflated negative binomial mixed model with random effects to understand the importance of each measured variable in predicting conifer regeneration. Across all fires, 43\,% of all plots had no conifer regeneration. Ten of the 14 fires had median conifer seedling densities that did not meet Forest Service stocking density thresholds for mixed conifer forests. When regeneration did occur, it was dominated by shade-tolerant but fire-sensitive firs (Abies spp.), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens). Seedling densities of conifer species were lowest in sites that burned at high severity, principally due to the biotic consequences of high severity fire, for example, increased distances to live seed trees and competition with fire-following shrubs. We developed a second model specifically for forest managers and restoration practitioners who work in yellow pine and mixed conifer forests in the central NAMCZ to assess potential natural regeneration in the years immediately following a fire, allowing them to prioritize which areas may need active postfire forest restoration and supplemental planting.
@article{welchPredictingConiferEstablishment2016,
title = {Predicting Conifer Establishment Post Wildfire in Mixed Conifer Forests of the {{North American Mediterranean}}-Climate Zone},
author = {Welch, Kevin R. and Safford, Hugh D. and Young, Truman P.},
date = {2016-12},
journaltitle = {Ecosphere},
volume = {7},
pages = {e01609+},
issn = {2150-8925},
doi = {10.1002/ecs2.1609},
url = {http://mfkp.org/INRMM/article/14589238},
abstract = {Due to fire suppression policies, timber harvest, and other management practices over the last century, many low- to mid-elevation forests in semiarid parts of the western United States have accumulated high fuel loads and dense, multi-layered canopies that are dominated by shade-tolerant and fire-sensitive conifers. To a great extent, the future status of western US forests will depend on tree species' responses to patterns and trends in fire activity and fire behavior and postfire management decisions. This is especially the case in the North American Mediterranean-climate zone (NAMCZ), which supports the highest precipitation variability in North America and a 4- to 6-month annual drought, and has seen greater-than-average increases in air temperature and fire activity over the last three decades. We established 1490 survey plots in 14 burned areas on 10 National Forests across a range of elevations, forest types, and fire severities in the central and northern NAMCZ to provide insight into factors that promote natural tree regeneration after wildfires and the differences in postfire responses of the most common conifer species. We measured site characteristics, seedling densities, woody shrub, and tree growth. We specified a zero-inflated negative binomial mixed model with random effects to understand the importance of each measured variable in predicting conifer regeneration. Across all fires, 43\,\% of all plots had no conifer regeneration. Ten of the 14 fires had median conifer seedling densities that did not meet Forest Service stocking density thresholds for mixed conifer forests. When regeneration did occur, it was dominated by shade-tolerant but fire-sensitive firs (Abies spp.), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens). Seedling densities of conifer species were lowest in sites that burned at high severity, principally due to the biotic consequences of high severity fire, for example, increased distances to live seed trees and competition with fire-following shrubs. We developed a second model specifically for forest managers and restoration practitioners who work in yellow pine and mixed conifer forests in the central NAMCZ to assess potential natural regeneration in the years immediately following a fire, allowing them to prioritize which areas may need active postfire forest restoration and supplemental planting.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14589238,~to-add-doi-URL,abies-spp,calocedrus-decurrens,conifers,forest-fires,forest-resources,postfire-recovery,pseudotsuga-menziesii,united-states,vegetation-changes,wildfires},
number = {12}
}
Climate, Weather, and Area Burned. Flannigan, M. D. & Wotton, B. M. In Forest Fires - Behavior and Ecological Effects, pages 351–373.
Paper abstract bibtex [Excerpt: Introduction] Forest fires are strongly linked to weather and climate (Flannigan and Harrington, 1988; Johnson, 1992; Swetnam, 1993). Fire has been an integral ecological process since the arrival of vegetation on the landscape. For the purposes of this chapter, we will define weather as short-term processes that result in variations in the atmospheric conditions ranging from minutes to a fire season. Processes that influence the atmosphere over time periods longer than a fire season will be defined as climate. There are several factors that control the climate and weather at any one location. These factors include variations in solar radiation due to latitude, distribution of continents and oceans, atmospheric pressure and wind systems, ocean currents, major terrain features, proximity to water bodies, and local features including topography (see Trewartha and Horn, 1980, for more details). As climate varies, the corresponding weather variables can vary in magnitude and direction. [] The objective of this chapter is to highlight the connection between climate/ weather and the area burned by forest fires. We have used examples primarily from Canada or North America to illustrate our points. This chapter is divided into sections that describe the relationships between surface weather and area burned, upper air features and area burned, and teleconnections and area burned. We also try to identify key knowledge gaps in the fire and weather/ climate relationship. This chapter closes with a short discussion on how global change might influence forest fire activity and area burned in the 21st century. [] [...]
@incollection{flanniganClimateWeatherArea2001,
title = {Climate, Weather, and Area Burned},
booktitle = {Forest Fires - {{Behavior}} and Ecological Effects},
author = {Flannigan, M. D. and Wotton, B. M.},
date = {2001},
pages = {351--373},
url = {http://mfkp.org/INRMM/article/14172152},
abstract = {[Excerpt: Introduction] Forest fires are strongly linked to weather and climate (Flannigan and Harrington, 1988; Johnson, 1992; Swetnam, 1993). Fire has been an integral ecological process since the arrival of vegetation on the landscape. For the purposes of this chapter, we will define weather as short-term processes that result in variations in the atmospheric conditions ranging from minutes to a fire season. Processes that influence the atmosphere over time periods longer than a fire season will be defined as climate. There are several factors that control the climate and weather at any one location. These factors include variations in solar radiation due to latitude, distribution of continents and oceans, atmospheric pressure and wind systems, ocean currents, major terrain features, proximity to water bodies, and local features including topography (see Trewartha and Horn, 1980, for more details). As climate varies, the corresponding weather variables can vary in magnitude and direction.
[] The objective of this chapter is to highlight the connection between climate/ weather and the area burned by forest fires. We have used examples primarily from Canada or North America to illustrate our points. This chapter is divided into sections that describe the relationships between surface weather and area burned, upper air features and area burned, and teleconnections and area burned. We also try to identify key knowledge gaps in the fire and weather/ climate relationship. This chapter closes with a short discussion on how global change might influence forest fire activity and area burned in the 21st century.
[] [...]},
isbn = {978-0-12-386660-8},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14172152,burnt-area,climate-change,fire-weather-index,forest-fires,forest-resources,wildfires}
}
Forest Fires in Europe, Middle East and North Africa 2017. San-Miguel-Ayanz, J., Houston Durrant, T., Boca, R., Libertà, G., Branco, A., de Rigo, D., Ferrari, D., Maianti, P., Artés Vivancos, T., Costa, H., Lana, F., Löffler, P., Nuijten, D., Ahlgren, A. C., Leray, T., Benchikha, A., Abbas, M., Humer, F., Baetens, J., Konstantinov, V., Pešut, I., Petkoviček, S., Papageorgiou, K., Toumasis, I., Pecl, J., Valgepea, M., Kõiv, K., Ruuska, R., Timovska, M., Michaut, P., Joannelle, P., Lachmann, M., Theodoridou, C., Debreceni, P., Nagy, D., Nugent, C., Zaken, A. B., di Fonzo, M., Sciunnach, R., Leisavnieks, E., Jaunķiķis, Z., Mitri, G., Repšienė, S., Assali, F., Mharzi Alaoui, H., Botnen, D., Piwnicki, J., Szczygieł, R., Almeida, R., Pereira, T., Cruz, M., Sbirnea, R., Mara, S., Eritsov, A., Longauerová, V., Jakša, J., Enriquez, E., Lopez, A., Sandahl, L., Reinhard, M., Conedera, M., Pezzatti, B., Dursun, K. T., Baltaci, U., & Moffat, A. Publications Office of the European Union.
Paper doi abstract bibtex [Excerpt: Executive summary] This is the 18th issue of the EFFIS annual report on forest fires for the year 2017. This report is consolidated as highly appreciated documentation of the previous year's forest fires in Europe, Middle East and North Africa. In its different sections, the report includes information on the evolution of fire danger in the European and Mediterranean regions, the damage caused by fires and detailed description of the fire conditions during the 2017 fire campaign in the majority of countries in the EFFIS network. The chapter on national reporting gives an overview of the efforts undertaken at national and regional levels, and provides inspiration for countries exposed to forest fire risk. [\n] The preparation and publication of the report aims also at improving cooperation with the members of the Expert Group on Forest Fires (EGFF) especially with regard to fire prevention actions. Our common aim is to maintain and protect our landscapes and natural heritage, to avoid loss of human lives and to minimise the damage caused to property by uncontrolled forest fires. [\n] The aim of the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) is to provide harmonised information on forest fires and assessment of their effects in the pan-European region. For this purpose, collaboration with EU Member States and neighbouring countries has been on-going since 1998. EFFIS started as a pilot project of collaboration between the European Countries and the European Commission in the area of fire information and fire prevention. [\n] On the Commission side, EFFIS was initiated by the Joint Research Centre in collaboration with the DG Environment. Due to the high support from the Expert Group on Forest Fires, which constitutes the network of experts from the countries contributing to EFFIS, the system was developed to an operational level supporting national and European policies and providing the information basis for the discussion of issues related to forest fires in the European Parliament . Currently, EFFIS provides operational support to DG ECHO in the area of civil protection, DG GROW in the implementation of the Copernicus Regulation [3] as well as to DG REGIO regarding the implementation of the EU Solidarity Fund Regulation [4] for critical fires. In 2015, EFFIS was adopted as one of the components of the EU Copernicus Program, which provides a legal and financial basis for its operation under this framework. [\n] EFFIS provides an ideal platform for countries to exchange good practices on fire prevention, firefighting, restoration practices and other activities related to fire management, and for the European Commission to update the forest fire services in the countries on relevant initiatives at the European level. [\n] Since its first operation in the year 2000, the number of countries contributing to the information on forest fires in EFFIS and receiving data from it has increased steadily. [\n] [...] [Foreward] At the time of preparing this 2017 report, wildfires have shown again in 2018 that they can be very deadly, even when countries are aware of the fire danger conditions and prepared for firefighting, such as the dramatic fires in Greece this July. Simultaneously, we are observing how extreme weather conditions can affect all the territories of the European Union, not only the Mediterranean region. In 2018, wildfires have heavily affected Sweden, UK, Ireland, Finland, and Latvia; countries in which wildfires have not been a concern in past years. This shows the importance and the urgency to seriously invest in the prevention of forest fires. [\n] This report presents the dramatic effects of wildfires in the year 2017. Despite the efforts by national and regional wildfire administrations and the support of the European Commission to prevent and fight wildfires in the European Union (EU), in 2017 wildfires burnt over 1.2 million ha of natural lands in the EU and killed 127 people among fire fighters and civilians. Over 25\,% of the total burnt area was in the Natura2000 network, destroying much of the efforts of the EU countries in preserving key biodiversity and natural habitats for future generations. The European Forest Fire Information System estimated losses of around 10 billion euros caused by these fires. [\n] I would like to stress again that the extreme conditions by themselves are not the cause of wildfires. In the vast majority of the cases, it is human intervention that ignites fires, which, under extreme weather conditions spread uncontrollably, causing enormous destruction and significant losses of human lives and assets. Fire prevention is thus key in tackling wildfires. More efforts should be channelled to increasing population and decision makers' awareness on the risk of wildfires. Member States and the EU Institutions must work hand in hand in providing guidelines on how to act in case of wildfires and how to increase our resilience, building on individual national experiences and capacities and sharing best practices. [\n] Furthermore, unsustainable forest management practices, degradation of ecosystems and their services, as well as the continuity of fuels of very flammable forest tree species facilitate fire ignition and favours fire propagation. Awareness raising and training of local communities, policy makers and stakeholders should be combined with investing in sustainable land-use practices that ensure the multifunctional role of forests beyond their economic function. Forest ecosystem services such as the regulation of the water cycle, soil protection, habitats provision for biodiversity, air cleaning, are under pressure due to climate change and intensified management and more investments are needed in ensuring forest resilience and supporting the ecosystem services that forests provide to the economy and the wider society. [\n] The EU is actively supporting wildfire prevention and fighting, the restoration of burnt lands, as well as education and awareness raising measures through its Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Rural Development Fund (EAFRD). The European Commission is working with its Expert Group on Forest Fires (EGFF), made of 41 national wildfire administrations from the EU and the Mediterranean neighbouring countries, in developing guidelines for better wildfire prevention and common basic criteria to assess wildfire risk at the pan-European level. These basic criteria will be ready by the end of 2018 and will help in assessing wildfire risk and developing better prevention and preparedness measures to tackle wildfires in the pan-European area. The EGFF is also working on a guidance, due in 2019, on forest fire prevention to support Member States in their prevention processes. [\n] These activities are conducted with the support of the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), which constitutes the backbone of wildfire information, provides near-real time information on wildfires and support to firefighting operations coordinated by the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC). Moreover, with the recent RescEU proposal the Commission aims at strengthening the European civil protection focusing on two complementary strands of action: creating a stronger collective response at the European level, and improved prevention and preparedness capacities. [\n] The Commission intends to keep on working together with the national administrations to be better prepared for wildfire conditions that may worsen in the future by the effects of climate change. Wildfires can be a real concern to any of the EU countries, as shown by the ongoing 2018 wildfire season. It is thus essential that coordinated actions are taken at European level to increase the resilience of our forest, to learn from each other through the exchange of good practices and to increase preparedness for firefighting operations. We need to show the EU solidarity in action and through effective EU initiatives strengthen the EU capacity to defend the lives of our citizens and protect our natural capital for future generations. [\n] [...]
@book{san-miguel-ayanzForestFiresEurope2018a,
title = {Forest Fires in {{Europe}}, {{Middle East}} and {{North Africa}} 2017},
author = {San-Miguel-Ayanz, Jesús and Houston Durrant, Tracy and Boca, Roberto and Libertà, Giorgio and Branco, Alfredo and de Rigo, Daniele and Ferrari, Davide and Maianti, Pieralberto and Artés Vivancos, Tomàs and Costa, Hugo and Lana, Fabio and Löffler, Peter and Nuijten, Daniel and Ahlgren, Anders C. and Leray, Thaïs and Benchikha, Abdelhafid and Abbas, Mohamed and Humer, Franz and Baetens, Jan and Konstantinov, Vladimir and Pešut, Ivana and Petkoviček, Siniša and Papageorgiou, Kostas and Toumasis, Ioannis and Pecl, Jan and Valgepea, Mati and Kõiv, Kadi and Ruuska, Rami and Timovska, Maja and Michaut, Philippe and Joannelle, Philippe and Lachmann, Michaela and Theodoridou, Christina and Debreceni, Peter and Nagy, Dániel and Nugent, Ciaran and Zaken, Avi B. and di Fonzo, Marco and Sciunnach, Renato and Leisavnieks, Edijs and Jaunķiķis, Zigmunds and Mitri, George and Repšienė, Svetlana and Assali, Fouad and Mharzi Alaoui, Hicham and Botnen, Dag and Piwnicki, Joseph and Szczygieł, Ryszard and Almeida, Rui and Pereira, Tania and Cruz, Miguel and Sbirnea, Radu and Mara, Septimius and Eritsov, Andrey and Longauerová, Valéria and Jakša, Jošt and Enriquez, Elsa and Lopez, Antonio and Sandahl, Leif and Reinhard, Michael and Conedera, Marco and Pezzatti, Boris and Dursun, Kamil T. and Baltaci, Ugur and Moffat, Andy},
editor = {San-Miguel-Ayanz, Jesús and Houston Durrant, Tracy and Boca, Roberto and Libertà, Giorgio and Branco, Alfredo and de Rigo, Daniele and Ferrari, Davide and Maianti, Pieralberto and Artés Vivancos, Tomàs and Costa, Hugo and Lana, Fabio and Löffler, Peter and Nuijten, Daniel and Ahlgren, Anders C. and Leray, Thaïs},
date = {2018},
publisher = {{Publications Office of the European Union}},
location = {{Luxembourg}},
issn = {1831-9424},
doi = {10.2760/663443},
url = {https://doi.org/10.2760/663443},
abstract = {[Excerpt: Executive summary] This is the 18th issue of the EFFIS annual report on forest fires for the year 2017. This report is consolidated as highly appreciated documentation of the previous year's forest fires in Europe, Middle East and North Africa. In its different sections, the report includes information on the evolution of fire danger in the European and Mediterranean regions, the damage caused by fires and detailed description of the fire conditions during the 2017 fire campaign in the majority of countries in the EFFIS network. The chapter on national reporting gives an overview of the efforts undertaken at national and regional levels, and provides inspiration for countries exposed to forest fire risk.
[\textbackslash n] The preparation and publication of the report aims also at improving cooperation with the members of the Expert Group on Forest Fires (EGFF) especially with regard to fire prevention actions. Our common aim is to maintain and protect our landscapes and natural heritage, to avoid loss of human lives and to minimise the damage caused to property by uncontrolled forest fires.
[\textbackslash n] The aim of the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) is to provide harmonised information on forest fires and assessment of their effects in the pan-European region. For this purpose, collaboration with EU Member States and neighbouring countries has been on-going since 1998. EFFIS started as a pilot project of collaboration between the European Countries and the European Commission in the area of fire information and fire prevention.
[\textbackslash n] On the Commission side, EFFIS was initiated by the Joint Research Centre in collaboration with the DG Environment. Due to the high support from the Expert Group on Forest Fires, which constitutes the network of experts from the countries contributing to EFFIS, the system was developed to an operational level supporting national and European policies and providing the information basis for the discussion of issues related to forest fires in the European Parliament . Currently, EFFIS provides operational support to DG ECHO in the area of civil protection, DG GROW in the implementation of the Copernicus Regulation [3] as well as to DG REGIO regarding the implementation of the EU Solidarity Fund Regulation [4] for critical fires. In 2015, EFFIS was adopted as one of the components of the EU Copernicus Program, which provides a legal and financial basis for its operation under this framework.
[\textbackslash n] EFFIS provides an ideal platform for countries to exchange good practices on fire prevention, firefighting, restoration practices and other activities related to fire management, and for the European Commission to update the forest fire services in the countries on relevant initiatives at the European level.
[\textbackslash n] Since its first operation in the year 2000, the number of countries contributing to the information on forest fires in EFFIS and receiving data from it has increased steadily.
[\textbackslash n] [...]
[Foreward] At the time of preparing this 2017 report, wildfires have shown again in 2018 that they can be very deadly, even when countries are aware of the fire danger conditions and prepared for firefighting, such as the dramatic fires in Greece this July. Simultaneously, we are observing how extreme weather conditions can affect all the territories of the European Union, not only the Mediterranean region. In 2018, wildfires have heavily affected Sweden, UK, Ireland, Finland, and Latvia; countries in which wildfires have not been a concern in past years. This shows the importance and the urgency to seriously invest in the prevention of forest fires.
[\textbackslash n] This report presents the dramatic effects of wildfires in the year 2017. Despite the efforts by national and regional wildfire administrations and the support of the European Commission to prevent and fight wildfires in the European Union (EU), in 2017 wildfires burnt over 1.2 million ha of natural lands in the EU and killed 127 people among fire fighters and civilians. Over 25\,\% of the total burnt area was in the Natura2000 network, destroying much of the efforts of the EU countries in preserving key biodiversity and natural habitats for future generations. The European Forest Fire Information System estimated losses of around 10 billion euros caused by these fires.
[\textbackslash n] I would like to stress again that the extreme conditions by themselves are not the cause of wildfires. In the vast majority of the cases, it is human intervention that ignites fires, which, under extreme weather conditions spread uncontrollably, causing enormous destruction and significant losses of human lives and assets. Fire prevention is thus key in tackling wildfires. More efforts should be channelled to increasing population and decision makers' awareness on the risk of wildfires. Member States and the EU Institutions must work hand in hand in providing guidelines on how to act in case of wildfires and how to increase our resilience, building on individual national experiences and capacities and sharing best practices.
[\textbackslash n] Furthermore, unsustainable forest management practices, degradation of ecosystems and their services, as well as the continuity of fuels of very flammable forest tree species facilitate fire ignition and favours fire propagation. Awareness raising and training of local communities, policy makers and stakeholders should be combined with investing in sustainable land-use practices that ensure the multifunctional role of forests beyond their economic function. Forest ecosystem services such as the regulation of the water cycle, soil protection, habitats provision for biodiversity, air cleaning, are under pressure due to climate change and intensified management and more investments are needed in ensuring forest resilience and supporting the ecosystem services that forests provide to the economy and the wider society.
[\textbackslash n] The EU is actively supporting wildfire prevention and fighting, the restoration of burnt lands, as well as education and awareness raising measures through its Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Rural Development Fund (EAFRD). The European Commission is working with its Expert Group on Forest Fires (EGFF), made of 41 national wildfire administrations from the EU and the Mediterranean neighbouring countries, in developing guidelines for better wildfire prevention and common basic criteria to assess wildfire risk at the pan-European level. These basic criteria will be ready by the end of 2018 and will help in assessing wildfire risk and developing better prevention and preparedness measures to tackle wildfires in the pan-European area. The EGFF is also working on a guidance, due in 2019, on forest fire prevention to support Member States in their prevention processes.
[\textbackslash n] These activities are conducted with the support of the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), which constitutes the backbone of wildfire information, provides near-real time information on wildfires and support to firefighting operations coordinated by the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC). Moreover, with the recent RescEU proposal the Commission aims at strengthening the European civil protection focusing on two complementary strands of action: creating a stronger collective response at the European level, and improved prevention and preparedness capacities.
[\textbackslash n] The Commission intends to keep on working together with the national administrations to be better prepared for wildfire conditions that may worsen in the future by the effects of climate change. Wildfires can be a real concern to any of the EU countries, as shown by the ongoing 2018 wildfire season. It is thus essential that coordinated actions are taken at European level to increase the resilience of our forest, to learn from each other through the exchange of good practices and to increase preparedness for firefighting operations. We need to show the EU solidarity in action and through effective EU initiatives strengthen the EU capacity to defend the lives of our citizens and protect our natural capital for future generations.
[\textbackslash n] [...]},
isbn = {978-92-79-92831-4},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14655948,~to-add-doi-URL,disturbances,effis,europe,european-commission,featured-publication,forest-fires,forest-resources,middle-east,multiauthor,north-africa,wildfires},
options = {useprefix=true},
pagetotal = {142 pp.}
}