Propagation probability and spread rates of self-sustained smouldering fires under controlled moisture content and bulk density conditions

The consumption of large areas of peat during wildfires is due to self-sustained smouldering fronts that can remain active for weeks. We studied the effect of peat moisture content and bulk density on the horizontal propagation of smouldering fire in laboratory-scale experiments. We used milled peat with moisture contents between 25 and 250% (mass of water per mass of dry peat) and bulk densities between 50 and 150 kg m–3. An infrared camera monitored ignition, spread and extinction of each smouldering combustion front. Peats with a bulk density below 75 kg m–3 and a moisture content below 150% self-sustained smouldering propagation for more than 12 cm. Peat with a bulk density of 150 kg m–3 could self-sustain smouldering propagation up to a critical moisture content of 115%. A linear model estimated that increasing both moisture content and bulk density significantly reduced the median fire spread rate (which ranged between 1 and 5 cm h–1). Moisture content had a stronger effect size on the spread rate than bulk density. However, the effect of bulk density on spread rate depends upon the moisture content, with the largest effect of bulk density at low moisture contents.European Commission - European Regional Development FundEuropean Research CouncilHigher Education Authorit

Current Wildland Fire Patterns and Challenges in Europe : A Synthesis of National Perspectives

Changes in climate, land use, and land management impact the occurrence and severity of wildland fires in many parts of the world. This is particularly evident in Europe, where ongoing changes in land use have strongly modified fire patterns over the last decades. Although satellite data by the European Forest Fire Information System provide large-scale wildland fire statistics across European countries, there is still a crucial need to collect and summarize in-depth local analysis and understanding of the wildland fire condition and associated challenges across Europe. This article aims to provide a general overview of the current wildland fire patterns and challenges as perceived by national representatives, supplemented by national fire statistics (2009-2018) across Europe. For each of the 31 countries included, we present a perspective authored by scientists or practitioners from each respective country, representing a wide range of disciplines and cultural backgrounds. The authors were selected from members of the COST Action "Fire and the Earth System: Science & Society" funded by the European Commission with the aim to share knowledge and improve communication about wildland fire. Where relevant, a brief overview of key studies, particular wildland fire challenges a country is facing, and an overview of notable recent fire events are also presented. Key perceived challenges included (1) the lack of consistent and detailed records for wildland fire events, within and across countries, (2) an increase in wildland fires that pose a risk to properties and human life due to high population densities and sprawl into forested regions, and (3) the view that, irrespective of changes in management, climate change is likely to increase the frequency and impact of wildland fires in the coming decades. Addressing challenge (1) will not only be valuable in advancing national and pan-European wildland fire management strategies, but also in evaluating perceptions (2) and (3) against more robust quantitative evidence.Peer reviewe

Dataset description

Dataset descriptio

Article_MCDist_NPG_final_data.xlsx

Dataset used in the manuscript:  Fine-scale distribution of moisture in the surface of a degraded blanket bog and its effects on the potential spread of smouldering fire<div><div><div> <p>Authors: Nuria Prat-Guitart, Claire M. Belcher, Dan K. Thompson, Paul Burns and Jon M. Yearsley</p> </div> </div> </div

Chapter 20 - Peat Fires in Ireland

Peatlands are one of Ireland's most characteristic natural features, making up about 17% of the Irish landscape. Their formation began at the end of the last glaciation (about 11,700years ago) and was initially confined to shallow lakes and wet hollows. However, over time there was a transition from open water to fen and then acid ombrotrophic raised bogs. Blanket bog also spread over extensive areas of poorly drained land in the uplands and western seaboard. This spread may have taken place in areas as early as 7000years ago but was more widespread by 4000years ago when the climate may have become wetter. Ireland's peatlands have been exploited for fuel over the last 400years, reducing the original extent of the peatland by almost 47%

Organisational model for hospital al home in Catalonia: alternative to conventional hospitalisation

Hospitalització a domicili; Model organitzatiu; CatalunyaHospitalización a domicilio; Modelo organizativo; CataluñaHospitalization at home; Organizational model; CataloniaL'objectiu principal es definir el model d’atenció d’HD a Catalunya, com a alternativa a l’hospitalització convencional, amb criteris d’adequació territorial. I com a objectius secundaris: Definir la cartera de serveis d’intensitat i complexitat. Definir els criteris per tal d’oferir una atenció HD de màxima qualitat i seguretat, amb les mateixes garanties com si el pacient fos al centre hospitalari d’internament d’aguts. Definir una organització territorial integrada de l’HD que doni resposta amb seguretat i eficiència, entès com una oportunitat allà on es pugui garantir. Garantir les transicions, segures i col·laboratives en el moment de l’alta, dels pacients HD als altres serveis assistencials del territori més adequats per a la seva situació. Vetllar per una coordinació eficient preingrés i postingrés a HD entre els diferents serveis i nivells assistencials d’un mateix territori o d’altres. Disposar d’indicadors d’avaluació comuns que permetin avaluar la qualitat i realitzar benchmarking públic entre els serveis HD dels diferents proveïdors