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A concern for fire managers is the influence linear disturbances have on fire
behaviour and fire suppression. The concern with linear disturbances is the
re-vegetation of primarily grass species. This grass may be seeded or occur
naturally. These fine fuels allows the fire to travel rapidly through the grass
in advance of the main fire front. The ‘wicking’ of fire along a linear
disturbance has the potential to create a new fire front if a wind shift occurs.
Fuel management techniques may reduce the potential for problematic fire behaviour.
Common are linear disturbances are:
- Roads
- Railroads
- Powerlines
- Seismic lines
- Pipelines
A number of efforts to mitigate the fire hazard of linear disturbance are
currently underway and this study will build on the existing knowledge base.
ATCO has a program to ‘fireproof’ their power lines. Several ‘tree-free’ projects
are reducing risk of adjacent forests striking power lines and igniting the
forest. A number of mowing programs are underway.
Study Objectives
The objective of this study is to identify methods and treatments that can
reduce fire spread potential within linear disturbances.
This will be accomplished by the following means:
- Collect information on the current state of linear disturbances in
Alberta and the associated fire behaviour potential.
- Develop an assessment procedure to allow field personnel to quantify
the relationship between types and amounts of fuels, prevailing winds and
fire behaviour found on linear disturbance.
- Through a literature search collect and compile risk reduction techniques
currently used in North America. These will be assessed for their effectiveness
and cost.
- Test these treatments to determine the effectiveness and applicability
for use in Alberta.
- For each treatment determine the minimum frequency required to maintain
linear disturbances hazard reduction once they have had a fuel modification
treatment.
- Identify opportunities where a linear disturbance can be used as a
fire control line or for community protection.
Study Methods
FERIC will select a case study area suitable for testing hazard reduction
treatments.
- Conduct a literature search to identify what fuel treatments exists
and those that may be applicable for use on linear disturbances.
- Quantify the effect of treatments currently used for linear disturbances
in the study area. This will include photographs and descriptions of the fuels
and associated fire risk using FBP and expert opinion. Field trips will be used
to collect physical data and meet with those currently involved in risk abatement
activities.
- Compile quantitative data on observed and/or measured fire behaviour
occurring at recent fires where linear disturbances were involved and were
important to fire behaviour.
- Implement promising treatments and conduct burn trials and determine the
frequency of maintenance.
- Identify fuel treatments, implement these on linear disturbance, record
results of hazard reduction, cost of treatment and follow-up maintenance
requirements.
- Collaborate with SRD to develop the basis of an assessment method that
includes the risk of fire and the impact on local values in determining
linear disturbance hazard reduction priorities. The provincial wildfire
threat analysis model may assist in fire abatement activities.
Deliverables
- Field guide to assist in the assessment of linear disturbance based on
work conducted in Alberta.
- Publish research results from field work.
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Documents:
Photo Reference Guide For Estimating Grass Fuel Loads in Alberta 12/16/2009
Advantage Report - Effectiveness of mowing grass to reduce potential fire behaviour in corridors 6/16/2008
Temperature profiles above burning piles: a report based on data collected in the Northwest Territories in June 2007 6/16/2008
Fast-Attack Kit for data collection on fires along linear corridors 10/11/2007
Advantage Report - Grass fuel loads on linear disturbances in Alberta 1/9/2007
Observations from Grass Burns in Fort McMurray
April 25, 2005 In Mowed and Standing Grass Plots-Fall Mow 5/25/2005
Test Burns at Fort McMurray and Slave Lake in Mowed and Unmown Grass Plots 7/5/2004
Linear Disturbance Project Page 3/14/2003
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