To cut or not to cut: Effect of vegetation height and bulk density on wildfire propagation under varied wind and slope conditions
This study examines how vegetation height and bulk density affect wildfire spread under different wind speeds and slopes. Using simulations and Australian field data, it evaluates whether cutting grass slows fires, addressing conflicting findings from previous research.
The key finding is a statistically significant negative correlation between vegetation bulk density and the fire spread rate. A positive correlation was found between vegetation height and fire spread under certain environmental conditions, specifically when fuel moisture and atmospheric humidity were factored in. These correlations hold if bulk density decreases with vegetation height and if fire propagation is plume-driven. However, in wind-driven fires, simulations show that shorter vegetation can increase fire spread, challenging the assumption that cutting grass always slows wildfires.
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