Fire Behavior in Dry Deciduous Dipterocarp Forest at Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Uthai Thani Province

Abstract

The study of fire behavior in dry deciduous dipterocarp forest at Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Uthai Thani province aimed to determine fire behavior and to find relationships between fire behavior and some environmental factors. The results of the study will be applied to fire control and fire suppression in the area. In total, 21 plots each 200 m × 200 m in size were established at an experimental burning site to collect data on fire behavior. In addition, fuel properties and fire weather data were collected. Byram’s model was applied to determine fire intensity and flame length. The results revealed that the average rate of fire spread, fireline intensity and flame length was 1.89 m min^-1, 190 kWm^-1 and 0.86 m, respectively. The loading of dead and live fuel was 4.64 and 0.73 ton ha^-1, respectively. The moisture content of dead and live fuel was 12.43 and 84.81 %, respectively and fuel bed depth was 12.57 cm. The rate of fire spread was correlated positively with wind velocity and fuel bed depth and negatively with the moisture content of the live fuel. Fires with low to moderate fire intensities could generally be attacked at the head fire by firefighters using hand tools. A hand line at least 4 m wide could hold the fire, with readiness at top alert when strong winds were expected. Reducing the fuel bed depth and maintaining high moisture content in the live fuel were recommended for fuel management.