[LINK] Bush Fire Speeds (was Re: home emergencies)

[Marghanita da Cruz]

Jan Whitaker wrote:
> At 10:48 AM 20/02/2009, Sylvano wrote:
> 
>> Fastest known fire front speeds:
>> - Grass Fires: 22km/h
>> - Forest Fires: 15km/h
> 
> I think that has been disproven by this recent fire, but we won't 
> know until the analysis comes out. I heard on radio reports speeds of 
> something like 50km/h during the biggest firestorms. Again, that was 
> conjecture of on the ground reports, not science.
> 

I seem to recall these fires create their own weather conditions and suck in oxygen.

It would also depend on the type of forest. Radiata Pine burns and recovers 
differently.

There is also some suggestion that diversity could be important in forests. Some 
plants need smoke and sunlight to germinate - while others don't. This book made 
interesting reading Australian Rainforests: Islands of Green in a Land of Fire
<http://astore.amazon.com/eco-sydney-20/detail/0521057876>

Marghanita
-- 
Marghanita da Cruz
http://www.ramin.com.au
Phone: (+61)0414 869202