Scott and Burgan fuel model
Description
The Scott and Burgan 40 fuel model is an expanded classification system developed to enhance and refine the original Anderson 13 fuel models. This system, created by Joe H. Scott and Robert E. Burgan in 2005 [1], introduces 40 different fuel models to better capture the variety of vegetation types and fuel conditions found in wildland and wildland-urban interface areas across North America. These models address limitations of the Anderson system by incorporating a wider range of fuel characteristics, such as dynamic grass models that account for seasonal changes in fuel moisture. The Scott and Burgan models categorize fuel types into several groups: grass, shrub, timber understory, timber litter, and slash-blowdown. This improved classification allows for more precise fire behavior predictions, supporting better fire management and risk assessment in diverse landscapes.
Firebench dataset content
| Variable name in dataset | Unit | Standard Variable Name | type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| dead_fuel_extinction_moisture | ft | fuel_moisture_extinction | float64 | [1] |
| fuel_bed_depth | ft | fuel_height | float64 | [1] |
| fuel_load_1h | ton acre-1 | fuel_load_dry_1h | float64 | [1] |
| fuel_load_10h | ton acre-1 | fuel_load_dry_10h | float64 | [1] |
| fuel_load_100h | ton acre-1 | fuel_load_dry_100h | float64 | [1] |
| fuel_load_live_herb | ton acre-1 | fuel_load_dry_live_herb | float64 | [1] |
| fuel_load_live_woody | ton acre-1 | fuel_load_dry_live_woody | float64 | [1] |
| fuel_model_code | object | [1] | ||
| fuel_model_type | object | [1] | ||
| heat_content | BTU lb-1 | fuel_heat_content | float64 | [1] |
| sav_ratio_dead_1h | ft-1 | fuel_surface_area_volume_ratio_dead_1h | float64 | [1] |
| sav_ratio_live_herb | ft-1 | fuel_surface_area_volume_ratio_live_herb | float64 | [1] |
| sav_ratio_live_woody | ft-1 | fuel_surface_area_volume_ratio_live_woody | float64 | [1] |
Usage
Import the Anderson fuel model data using FireBench with:
import firebench.tools as ft
fuel_data = ft.read_fuel_data_file("ScottandBurgan40")
The data is stored in the dictionnary fuel_data. The keys are the standard variable names and the values are numpy array associated with pint unit.
Compatibility with fire models
Compatibility levels:
- Full: The data contained in the fuel model covers all the fuel input needed by the fire model
- Partial: The data contained in the fuel model covers some of the fuel input needed by the fire model
- None: The data contained in the fuel model covers none of the fuel input needed by the fire model
| Fire model | Category | Compatibility level |
|---|---|---|
| Rothermel_SFIRE | ROS vegetation | Full |
| Balbi_2022_fixed_SFIRE | ROS vegetation | Partial |
| Hamada_1 | ROS urban | None |
| Hamada_2 | ROS urban | None |