A series of experimental fires was conducted to document point-source fire
growth burning on full-tree harvested jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) sit
es with a feathermoss (Pleurozium schreberi (B.S.G.) Mitt.) duff layer. Res
ults showed that the time for any of the fires to reach equilibrium spread
rates was constant despite the fuel moisture codes and fire behavior indice
s of the Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index (FWI) System calculated at the
time of the fires. Two relationships were developed (linear and nonlinear)
for average (wind lulls included) and peak wind conditions. The Linear pred
iction for peak wind conditions estimates that equilibrium spread rates may
be achieved as quickly as 22.3 minutes after ignition. The fire depended u
pon a continuous feathermoss duff layer, and not the slash fuel component,
for its spread. Hydraulic (moisture dependent) and thermal properties of th
e feathermoss surface layer contributed to the rapid drying experienced eve
n after large amounts of precipitation had fallen.