Fire growth and development in black pine litter

In this study, line and point source surface fires were conducted under different weather and fuel conditions in Anatolian black pine (P.nigra J.F. Arnold subsp. nigra var. caramanica (Loudon) Rehder) stand. Also, the effects of line and point source fires on the characteristics of fire spread and fire acceleration from ignition to steady spread rate were investigated. Relationships between rate of fire spread, fuel and weather conditions were determined with correlation and regression analyses. According to the relationships generated, it was determined that the rate of fire spread could be predicted with wind speed. Fuel loading was a good indicator for predicting fuel consumption. Fire intensity was closely related to wind speed and moisture content of surface litter. Finally, fire behavior in black pine litter was determined by using fuel properties and weather measurements. The results of this study will make important contributions to fire behavior prediction system and meteorological fire index of Turkey. Key Words: Line Fires, Point Fires, Spread Rate, Fire Behavior