Fire modelling in Tasmanian buttongrass moorlands. III - Dead fuel moisture

An experimental program was carried out in Tasmanian buttongrass moorlands to develop fire behaviour prediction models for improving fire management. This paper describes the results of the fuel moisture modelling section of this project. A range of previously developed fuel moisture prediction mode ls are examined and three empirical dead fuel moisture prediction models ar e developed. McArthur's grassland fuel moisture model gave equally good pre dictions as a linear regression model using humidity and dew-point temperat ure. The regression model was preferred as a prediction model as it is inhe rently more robust. A prediction model based on hazard sticks was found to have strong seasonal effects which need further investigation before hazard sticks can be used operationally.