Buttongrass Moorland Fire-Behaviour Prediction and Management

Abstract

This paper summarises the outcomes of the buttongrass moorland fire behaviour and management research conducted over the past decade in Tasmania by the Parks and Wildlife Service, Forestry Tasmania, the University of Tasmania, the Tasmania Fire Service and the Bureau of Meteorology. The major influences on buttongrass fuel characteristics are time since the last fire and site productivity. The major influences on buttongrass moorland fire behaviour are wind speed, time since the last fire, dead-fuel moisture content and site productivity. This paper presents prediction tables and equations for estimating buttongrass moorland fuel characteristics, rates of fire spread, flame heights and fire danger ratings. These predictions are also discussed in the context of operational fire management, prescriptions for conducting prescribed burning and options for wildfire control.