Overview

FireStem is a computer model designed to aid fire managers in predicting tree mortality based on fire behavior and intensity. The eventual goal is to produce mortality predictions based on fuel information, moisture, and fire behavior for a specified region and a range of tree species.

History

FireStem is based on fundamental thermodynamics and heat transfer taking into account the thermophysical properties of individual species in order to predict temperature at the living tissue or cambium. Eventually, the user will be able to input a range of species for a given ecosystem, run FireStem, and review the mortality prediction for a range of diameters for each species. To date, we have developed and validated FireStem for four species: Douglas Fir, Ponderosa Pine, Chestnut Oak, and Red Maple. The mortality predictions used in FireStem are based on recent work by Dr. Matthew Dickinson at the U.S. Forest Service Northern Research Station and include the latest understanding of cambial tissue response to thermal injury. Other species will be added as their thermophysical properties are identified and validated.

Experiments

FireStem was evaluated by comparison with experimental data designed to illustrate the extent of thermal damage on stems. Two types of stem heating experiments were performed, Rope Burns and Plot Burns. Rope burns were conducted in the laboratory using stem sections of each of the four species. Plot burns were conducted in the field during research prescribed burns in Montana, Ohio, and Arizona.