On the ignition of a layer of combustible forest materials by light radiation

The ignition of a layer of combustible forest materials by luminous radiati on was studied experimentally. The minimum radiant heat flux densities requ ired to ignite combustible forest materials are determined for a neodymium- doped glass laser and a tungsten lamp. It is established that the heat flux density increases with increase in the moisture content and density of the layer of combustible forest materials and decreases with increase in the d iameter of the light spot, and the critical Aux density is higher for the l aser radiation than for the incandescent lamp.