Table 11 Description of Rothermel (Rothermel 1972; Anderson 1982) fuel models considered to be present in the study area

Pastures

1

0.3

1–2

Dry, short grass that covers the ground. Shrubs or trees covering less than 1/3 of the surface

2

0.3– < 1

5–10

Grassy areas with shrubs or sparse trees that cover between 1/3 and 2/3 of the surface

3

 > 1

4–6

Thick, tall grass (over 1 m). Typical of savannas. Grain fields are representative of this model

Shrubs

4

1–2

25–35

Dense shrubs or young trees. Horizontal and vertical continuity. Abundance of woody fuel

5

 < 1

5–8

Dense, young shrubland

6

 > 1

10–15

Shrubland similar to model 5 with remnants of broadleaf plants

7

 < 2

10–15

Shrubland of highly flammable species less than 2 m tall or the underbrush of pine forests

Trees

8

10–12

Leaf litter in dense conifer or broadleaf forests (leaf litter forming a compact layer of less than 5 cm)

9

10–12

Leaf litter in dense conifer or broadleaf forests, differing from model 8 in that it forms a spongy, loosely compact, lofty layer with a great deal of air in between the leaves. It is made up of long needles

10

30–35

Naturally occurring woody debris, including large fallen wood due to storms, intense pests, or excessive forest maturity, with herbaceous vegetation and shrubbery growing among the woody debris

11

30–35

Lightly wooded or cleared forest with light debris (less than 7.5 cm in diameter), silvicultural or harvesting treatments, forming a loose, low-lying layer (about 30 cm high)

Trees

12

50–80

Predominance of debris over trees, heavier than in model 11, forming a continuous layer of greater height (up to 60 cm). More than half of the leaves are attached to the branches without being completely dry

Forest Harvesting Residues

13

100–150

Large accumulations of heavy, bulky waste or harvesting waste (diameter > 7.5 cm) covering the entire ground