Fuel Moisture & Fire Test Monitoring Programme

Abstract

This project concerns the relationship between fire and peat and peatland systems. Although peat fires in which significant quantities of the soil organic material is consumed by smouldering combustion are uncommon, the ecological and environmental impacts of these fires can be very severe. The most important factor determining ignition probability and extent of the damage in a peat fire is the moisture content of the peat. To predict the risk of peat fire it is therefore crucial that we understand both the relationship between weather conditions and the water content of peat in environments susceptible to fire, and the relationship between water content and ignition probability. This project therefore comprises two parts: the relationship between weather conditions and peat water content, and the ignition characteristics of peat