Flammability at field-scales: conducting research in prescribed burns

Abstract

To better understand the role of plant flammability in driving landscape-scale fire behaviour and fire regimes, field-scale flammability research needs to occur. Yet, experimental fires are costly to implement and research within wildfires is both logistically challenging and potentially dangerous. As an alternative, we propose that operational prescribed burns undertaken for land management purposes should be exploited for flammability research.. In some parts of the world, large areas are burnt annually, providing extensive opportunities for research. In this paper we describe three broad methods that can be used to measure different facets of flammability in prescribed burns. We compare the strengths and potential limitations of each method before finally providing ten principles for conducting effective flammability research in prescribed burns. We conclude that operational prescribed burns are a largely untapped resource that could be used to better understand links between plant flammability and landscape-scale fire behaviour.