Global assessment of fire risk: using a global fuel map and climatological data to estimate fire behavior with FCCS

Abstract

The spatial distribution, structure, and environmental conditions of the fuels are key variables in wildland fire behavior and effects. This study developed environmental scenarios, based on global weather information and topography, in order to calculate surface fire behaviour parameters using the Fuel Characteristic Classification System and a global fuel map previously developed. The results show the geographic variation in monthly mean wind speeds and fuel moisture content for the months of January and July and for the period 1981-2010. Also, the worst monthly conditions were evaluated, corresponding to the maximum monthly wind speeds and minimum fuel moisture content. From these environmental scenarios, the rate of spread for the global fuels was mapped, obtaining more realistic results than in the past.