The objective of this study is to test and evaluate the following FFDRS, to propose possible modifications that would better adapt these systems to the Mediterranean conditions. The implemented forest fire danger rating systems are the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System (CFFDRS), and Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) of the American National Forest Fire Danger Rating System (NFFDRS).
The objective of this study is to test and evaluate the following FFDRS, to propose possible...
1Department of Hydrology and Water Resources Management, Faculty of Meteorology, Environment & Arid Land Agriculture, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
2Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University, Sofia, 1164, Bulgaria
1Department of Hydrology and Water Resources Management, Faculty of Meteorology, Environment & Arid Land Agriculture, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
2Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University, Sofia, 1164, Bulgaria
Received: 05 Sep 2017 – Accepted for review: 08 Oct 2017 – Discussion started: 09 Oct 2017
Abstract. The Fire Weather Index (FWI) module was tested under the Mediterranean- type conditions of Crete (Greece) for the two fire seasons 2008–2009. High correlations were found between the Fine Fuel Moisture Code (FFMC) and the Duff Moisture Code (DMC. The Drought Code (DC) was insignificantly correlated with the soil moisture content. No significant correlation was found between the area burned by wildfires and any component of the FWI system during the studied period, unlike fire occurrence with which most of the components were highly correlated. Meanwhile, the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) of the American Forest Fire Danger Rating System (NFFDRS) was also examined under the same conditions. It provided a useful means of monitoring general wetting and drying cycles, but is inadequate for indicating daily fire danger throughout the fire season in our region. Weak correlations between the KBDI- the fire occurrence and the area burned were found for the two fire seasons studied-2008–2009. Correlations between the KBDI and litter, duff and soil did not give statistically sound results. On the contrary, the KBDI seemed to predict with high accuracy the moisture content of three annual plants (Piplatherum miliaceum, Parietaria diffusa, Avena sterillis) with a shallow rooting system of Pinus halepensis forest understory in the region. This indicated that the index was adequate, to a certain extent, to represent the upper soil layers' water status, while it is unsuitable to predict needles moisture content of Pinus halepensis, which has a deep rooting system.
The objective of this study is to test and evaluate the following FFDRS, to propose possible modifications that would better adapt these systems to the Mediterranean conditions. The implemented forest fire danger rating systems are the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System (CFFDRS), and Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) of the American National Forest Fire Danger Rating System (NFFDRS).
The objective of this study is to test and evaluate the following FFDRS, to propose possible...