The LANDFIRE fuel data describe the composition and characteristics of both surface fuel and canopy fuel. Specific products include fire behavior fuel models, canopy bulk density (CBD), canopy base height (CBH), canopy cover (CC), canopy height (CH), and fuel loading models (FLMs). These data may be implemented within models to predict the behavior and effects of wildland fire. These data are useful for strategic fuel treatment prioritization and tactical assessment of fire behavior and effects. DATA SUMMARY: Thirteen typical surface fuel arrangements or "collections of fuel properties" (Anderson 1982) were described to serve as input for Rothermel's mathematical surface fire behavior and spread model (Rothermel 1972). These fire behavior fuel models represent distinct distributions of fuel loadings found among surface fuel components (live and dead), size classes and fuel types. The fuel models are described by the most common fire carrying fuel type (grass, brush, timber litter or slash), loading and surface area-to-volume ratio by size class and component, fuelbed depth and moisture of extinction. This dataset can be used for fire spread related characteristics models. In FARSITE, canopy characteristics are used to compute shading, wind reduction factors, spotting distances, crown fuel volume, spread characteristics of crown fires and incorporate the effects of ladder fuels for transitions from a surface to crown fire. Canopy characteristics refer to the tree canopy. Where there are tree canopies, i.e. existing vegetation types that are forest and woodland, LANDFIRE has attributed the grid with canopy characteristics with some exceptions. There will be no canopy characteristics in fuel types where the tree canopy is considered a part of the surface fuel and the surface fire behavior fuel model is chosen as such. This is because LANDFIRE assumes the potential burnable biomass in the tree canopy has been accounted for in the surface fuel model parameters. For example, young or short conifer stands where the trees are represented by a shrub type fuel model will not have canopy characteristics.
