Fuel model
A Fuel Model is a stylized set of fuel bed characteristics used as input for a variety of wildfire modeling applications. Wildfire behavior models,such as those of Rothermel[Sources 1], take into account numerous empirical variables. While these inputs are important for equation outputs, they are often difficult and time consuming, if not impossible, to measure for each fuel bed. A fuel model groups defines these input variables for a stylized set of quantitative vegetation characteristics that can be visually identified in the field. Depending on local conditions, one of several fuel models may be appropriate. As Anderson states “Fuel models are simply tools to help the user realistically estimate fire behavior. The user must maintain a flexible frame of mind and an adaptive method of operating to totally utilize these aids”[Sources 2].Furthermore, depending on the application, the user must choose a fuel modelclassification system. The major classification systems for use in the United States include the National Fire Danger Rating System, the 13 ‘original’ fuel models of Anderson and Albini, the subsequent set of 40 fuels produced by Scott and Burgan, and the Fuel Characteristics Classification System.
National Fire Danger Rating System
The concept of a fuel model was first introduced with the Fire Danger Rating System. This system, first implemented nationwide in 1972, was the first to rely on fuel model input. Each of its 20 fuel models contain information about the relative loading of different fuel components, including 1-hr, 10-hr, 100-hr, and 1000-hr dead fuels, herbaceous and woody live fuels, fuelbed depth, and moisture of extinction.