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CFFDRS: Fire Behavior Prediction FBP System

  1. Introduction
  2. Weather Inputs
  3. FBP Fuel Types
  4. Example Fire Behavior Lookup Table

Introduction

The CFFDRS FBP system is not integrated into the U.S. fire behavior analysis tools, e.g.,  BehavePlus, FARSITE, FlamMap, WFDSS, or IFTDSS. Tools are available to U.S. users via the following:

This flowchart highlights the basic inputs and outputs for the FBP system, demonstrating many similarities to the US tools provided to support fire behavior prediction.

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The Fire Behavior Prediction System. This process flow chart outlines the system inputs, as well as the array of primary fire behavior and secondary fire growth characteristics.

However, there are significant differences. Most important are the way that weather (fuel moisture and wind) and fuel (fuel types) are applied.

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Weather Inputs

The ISI and BUI, drawn from the daily FWI system and adjusted for local conditions, are used directly as wind and fuel moisture inputs in fire behavior calculations. This facilitates the use of RAWS observations in fire behavior estimation.

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FBP Fuel Types

Designed specifically for use in predicting the full range of fire behavior in northern forest ecosystems, there are 18 fuel types among five fuel groups. The classification recognizes coarse vegetative cover and structure types. Each CFFBP Fuel Type integrates the surface and canopy fuel characteristics, providing for evaluation of crown fire initiation and propagation without additional canopy characterizations.

An Excel workbook for comparing fuel types is available for download here.

Conifer Fuel Types

These fuel types represent the most important fire potential throughout the boreal forest. C-2 (spruce) and C-4 (pine) represent extreme potential with active crown fire anticipated under most conditions. C-3, C-5, and C-7 represent more moderate potential with taller trees and higher surface to canopy gaps.

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Conifer fuel type characteristics chart. Descriptions to aid in identification and graph of relative spread rates.

Grass Fuel Types

These two grass fuel types are intended to differentiate between spring grass fuel beds (O-1a after snowmelt and late summer cured grass fuelbeds (O-1b). Their use requires characterization of the curing level in the grasses. They can be used for flammable grass/shrub fuelbeds, though generally require lower curing levels to properly slow spread rates.

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Grass/Openland fuel type characteristics chart. Descriptions to aid in identification and graphs of relative spread rates.

Mixed Wood Fuel Types

Common to the Boreal Forest, these fuel types represent areas where varying combinations of conifers and hardwoods can support a range of crown fire potential ranging from torching trees to active crown fire. Use of these fuel types usually require assumption of the conifer percentage in the canopy fuels.

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Mixedwood fuel type characteristics chart. Descriptions to aid in identification and graphs of relative spread rates.

Deciduous Fuel Types

These fuel types were calibrated to largely pure stands of Trembling Aspen and/or Paper Birch. They may over-estimate potential in northern hardwood stand of the eastern U.S. and underestimate potential in oak dominated central hardwoods of the eastern and central U.S.

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Deciduous fuel type characteristics chart. Descriptions to aid in identification and graph of relative spread rates.

Slash Fuel Types

Calibrated to post-logging fuelbeds with substantial fuel loads, they may or may not effectively represent blowdown areas.

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Slash/Blowdown fuel type characteristics chart. Descriptions to aid in identification and graph of relative spread rates.

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Example Fire Behavior Lookup Table

FBP Lookup tables can be found in the Field Guides (AK, MI, MN) that can be downloaded at the links below or at the top of the section. This example shows that spread rates, flame lengths, and fire type can be determined once the user has identified the fuel type, the ISI, and the BU( or grass curing for open types.

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Fire Behavior Lookup Tables aid system user in the estimation of spread rates, flame length/fire intensity, and the type of fire anticipated.

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NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention

Date: November 14, 2024
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention. Misaligned toolless fuel caps on Stihl chainsaws have led to recurring fuel spillage, fuel ignition, and burn injuries during wildland fire management operations.

This Safety Warning is intended to highlight the details and recommended procedures for the installation of a Stihl chainsaw toolless fuel cap, as well as how to identify and correct a misaligned, damaged, or broken fuel cap to help prevent fuel spillage.

References:

NWCG Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention

Advertencia de equipos 24-001: Prevención de derrames de la tapa de combustible sin herramientas de la motosierra Stihl

NWCG Alerts

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR)

Date: November 13, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Equipment Time Recorder, PMS 350-51 and NWCG Position Task Book for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR), PMS 311-51 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for EQTR, includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Equipment Time Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Equipment Time Recorder, PMS 350-51

NWCG Position Task Book for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR), PMS 311-51

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC)

Date: November 13, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Personnel Time Recorder, PMS 350-53 and NWCG Position Task Book for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC), PMS 311-53 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for PTRC, includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Personnel Time Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Personnel Time Recorder, PMS 350-53

NWCG Position Task Book for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC), PMS 311-53

NWCG Risk Management Committee Releases Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires

Date: November 7, 2024
Contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) has released Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires. As wildland fire respirators are available through several established vendors, wildland fire personnel need to understand regulations and limitations of respirator use in the workplace.

Safety Bulletin 24-001 outlines the following topics regarding respirator use for wildland fires:

  • Requirements for Respirator Use
  • Voluntary Respirator Use
  • Current Respirator Options
  • Unknown Risks of Respirator Use

This bulletin also provides mitigation recommendations to help reduce smoke exposure for wildland firefighting efforts.

References:

NWCG Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires

NWCG Smoke Management Guide for Prescribed Fire, PMS 420-3

VIDEO: Protecting Wildfire Personnel from Smoke - How Incident Management Teams Address Smokes Risks

VIDEO: Smoke, Knowing the Risks