FuelCalc: A Method for Estimating Fuel Characteristics

Abstract

This paper describes the FuelCalc computer program. FuelCalc is a tool to compute surface and canopy fuel loads and characteristics from inventory data, to support fuel treatment decisions by simulating effects of a wide range of silvicultural treatments on surface fuels and canopy fuels, and to provide linkages to stand visualization, fire behavior and fire effects programs that rely on estimates of fuel loads and qualities. Canopy fuel characteristics, including available fuel, canopy bulk density, canopy base height and canopy cover are estimated from a list of trees.