A field experiment on grass fire effects on wooden constructions and peat layer ignition

Abstract

This paper investigates the cause of ignition of wooden shields during surface fire fronts. For this purpose an experiment was conducted in which a zone 50 m in length and 10 m in width was chosen as the experimental site. Wooden shields (made of spruce boards) and samples of high-moor and valley peat were placed in this zone. In the experiment it was ascertained that to ensure safety during the surface fire in absence of firebrands and embers it was necessary to clear a perimeter around the zone not less than 5 m in width, and remove cleared fuels. To reduce the risk of fence ignition, it was necessary to make the fences permeable. It was found that grass fires turn into peat fires if there is a conductor of combustion above the layer of peat.