International Journal of Wildland Fire

International Journal of Wildland Fire publishes articles on basic and applied aspects of wildland fire science including, but not confined to, ecological impact, modelling fire and its effects, and management of fire. Read more about the journalMore

Editors-in-Chief: Susan G. Conard and Stefan Doerr

Publishing Model: Hybrid. Open Access options available.

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Current Issue

International Journal of Wildland Fire

Volume 31 Number 8 2022

WFv31n8tocTable of Contents

WFv31n8tocPDF (746 KB)

WF22016Assessing the predictive efficacy of six machine learning algorithms for the susceptibility of Indian forests to fire

Laxmi Kant Sharma

, Rajit Gupta

and Naureen Fatima

pp. 735-758

The current study assessed the forest fire susceptibility of Indian forest cover using six machine learning algorithms. This study demonstrates the relationship between forest fire occurrence and forest, climate and topography parameters. These algorithms have a remarkable ability to develop fire susceptibility prediction models using minimal parameters.

WF22016 Abstract | WF22016 Full Text | WF22016PDF (19.1 MB) Open Access Article

WF21122Rate of spread and flaming zone velocities of surface fires from visible and thermal image processing

B. Schumacher

, K. O. Melnik

, M. Katurji, J. Zhang, V. Clifford and H. G. Pearce

pp. 759-773

We present two new algorithms that can retrieve rate of spread and flaming velocities of fires from uncrewed aerial vehicles. The thermal tracking is well suited for studying fire–atmospheric interactions whereas the visible image tracking estimates the fire perimeter. Both techniques are available open‐source and may be adapted for operational purposes.

WF22006Modelling initial attack success on forest fires suppressed by air attack in the province of Ontario, Canada

Melanie Wheatley, B. Mike Wotton, Douglas G. Woolford, David L. Martell and Joshua M. Johnston

pp. 774-785

We examined the influence of airtankers on the successful containment of forest fires in the province of Ontario. Three models were developed to estimate the probability of initial attack success based on different information available to the fire management agency throughout the fire response process.

WF21064How interactions between wildfire and seasonal soil moisture fluxes drive nitrogen cycling in Northern Sierra Nevada forests

Mary K. Brady, Erin J. Hanan

, Matthew B. Dickinson, Jessica R. Miesel

, Laura Wade and Jonathan Greenberg

pp. 786-798

To understand how wildfires influence biogeochemical processes in the northern Sierra Nevada, we collected soil samples immediately before and over the course of 10 months following a wildfire. We found that fire and soil moisture interacted to generate pulses of N mineralisation that varied non-monotonically with increasing burn severity.

WF21126Effectiveness of fitness training and psychosocial education intervention programs in wildland firefighting: a cluster randomised control trial

Caleb Leduc

, Sabir I. Giga, Ian J. Fletcher, Michelle Young and Sandra C. Dorman

pp. 799-815

A cluster randomised control trial evaluated the effectiveness of two intervention programs across a wildland fire season. Compared with a control group, participating in a psychosocial education intervention program buffered the impact of psychosocial risk factors, while participation in any program yielded a significantly lower incidence rate of injury.

WF21126 Abstract | WF21126 Full Text | WF21126PDF (1.1 MB) Open Access Article

WF21160Anthropogenic fire practices only ‘best’ if they promote a large seed buildup: comment on the conservation needs of a fire-killed grevillea

Byron B. Lamont

pp. 816-820

Population modelling of a fire-killed grevillea shows that fire frequency (preferably exceeding 30-year intervals) and the extent of fire coverage (preferably exceeding 60% of the ground surface) are crucial factors in enhancing the conservation status of this species.

WF21160 Abstract | WF21160 Full Text | WF21160PDF (1.2 MB)

WF22089Response to ‘Fire practices only ‘best’ if they promote a large seed buildup: comment on the conservation needs of a fire-killed grevillea’ (Lamont 2022)

Michelle McKemey

, The Banbai Rangers, John Hunter, Emilie Ens and Nick Reid

pp. 821-822

In response to Lamont’s critique, we highlight the nuances of modelling and observing population dynamics, the benefits of cross-cultural research and ongoing challenges for fire management. We reinforce our conclusion that cultural fire management supported by science provides the most adaptive approach to support the recovery of the Backwater grevillea.

WF22089 Abstract | WF22089 Full Text | WF22089PDF (781 KB)

WF21035_COCorrigendum to: Regional drought synchronised historical fires in dry forests of the Montane Cordillera Ecozone, Canada

Raphaël D. Chavardès, Lori D. Daniels, Jill E. Harvey, Gregory A. Greene, Hélène Marcoux, Bianca N. I. Eskelson, Ze’ev Gedalof, Wesley Brookes, Rick Kubian, Jared D. Cochrane, John H. Nesbitt, Alexandra M. Pogue, Olivier Villemaire-Côté, Robert W. Gray and David W. Andison

pp. 823-823

WF21035_CO Abstract | WF21035_COCorrigendum (1.8 MB) Open Access Article

Online Early

The peer-reviewed and edited version of record published online before inclusion in an issue

Published online 30 August 2022

WF21133Estimating visitor preferences for recreation sites in wildfire prone areas

Sophia Tanner, Frank Lupi and Cloé Garnache

This study investigates visitor preferences for tree cover, waterbodies and visual evidence of past fire at recreation sites in a Southern California national forest. Findings show that water and tree cover are highly valued, and fire impacts depend on vegetation type, fire intensity and time since the fire.

Published online 30 August 2022

WF22017Sand and fire: applying the sandpile model of self-organised criticality to wildfire mitigation †

Joshua E. Gang, Wanqi Jia and Ira A. Herniter

The sandpile model uses accumulating sand grains to approximate net fuel deposition. When a collapse occurs, it spreads, simulating the spread of fire. Data from both a sandpile model simulation and an analysis of historical forest fire data suggest that prescribed burning reduces the risk of destructive wildfires.

WF22017 Abstract | WF22017 Full Text | WF22017PDF (3.6 MB) | WF22017Supplementary Material (1.7 MB) Open Access Article

Published online 30 August 2022

WF22164Book Review

R. Gazzard

WF22164 Full Text | WF22164Book Review (520 KB)

Published online 30 August 2022

WF22033The process of vegetation recovery and burn probability changes in post-burn boreal forests in northeast China

Xuezheng Zong and Xiaorui Tian

The recovery process and corresponding fire likelihood of post-burn boreal forests were identified. Soil depth and slope played important roles in vegetation recovery. Most burned areas recovered and showed low burn probability 20 years post burn.

Published online 26 August 2022

WF22018Wildfire response of GPS-tracked Bonelli’s eagles in eastern Spain

Sara Morollón, Juli G. Pausas

, Vicente Urios and Pascual López-López

We studied the wildfire response of GPS-tracked Bonelli’s eagles. We used kernel density estimators and movement parameters comparing individuals’ behaviour before, during and after a wildfire. We only saw an immediate negative effect in the first days of the wildfire. This could be an adaptation to wildfires in Mediterranean areas.

Published online 25 August 2022

WF22008Physicochemical characteristics controlling the flammability of live Pinus banksiana needles in central Alberta, Canada

Rodrigo Campos-Ruiz

, Marc-André Parisien

and Mike D. Flannigan

We tested the flammable properties of Pinus banksiana living needles in a laboratory. Needles ignite faster the older they are, influenced mainly by their form. Their chemical makeup affects the speed, energy released during combustion and consumption velocity. Our study showed that, surprisingly, moisture content was not the main factor controlling their flammability.

Published online 25 August 2022

WF22015A case-study ofwildland fire management knowledge exchange: the barriers and facilitators in the development and integration of the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System in Ontario, Canada

Colin B. McFayden, Colleen George, Lynn M. Johnston, Mike Wotton, Daniel Johnston, Meghan Sloane and Joshua M. Johnston

We describe the barriers and facilitators for knowledge exchange for wildland fire management elicited from a case study of the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System development and implementation in Ontario. These findings can help guide the development and implementation of future innovations for wildland fire management.

WF22015 Abstract | WF22015 Full Text | WF22015PDF (1.8 MB) | WF22015Supplementary Material (372 KB) Open Access Article

Published online 15 August 2022

WF22074Wildland fire prevention: the impact of the Modifying Industrial Operations Protocol on the growth of industrial forestry-caused wildland fires in Ontario, Canada

Kevin Granville

, Douglas G. Woolford, C. B. Dean and Colin B. McFayden

Ontario’s Modifying Industrial Operations Protocol aims to limit wildland fire risks associated with forestry operations. We empirically investigated how the distribution of incremental growth between discovery and final sizes of industrial forestry-caused fires have changed over time, finding evidence suggesting that fires tend to grow less under current regulations.

WF22074 Abstract | WF22074 Full Text | WF22074PDF (2.5 MB) Open Access Article

Just Accepted

These articles have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. They are still in production and have not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

WF22020, Accepted 17 August 2022

Mapping the ethical landscape of wildland fire management: setting an agenda for research and deliberation on the applied ethics of wildland fire

Dyllan Goldstein and Eric Kennedy

WF22020Abstract

WF21168, Accepted 16 August 2022

Collective action for managing wildfire risk across boundaries in forest and range landscapes: Lessons from case studies in the western United States

Heidi Huber-Stearns, Emily Jane Davis, Antony Cheng and Alison Deak

WF21168Abstract

WF21136, Accepted 09 August 2022

Automated classification of fuel types using roadside images via deep learning

Md Riasat Azim

, Melih Keskin, Ngoan Do and Mustafa Gül

WF21136Abstract

WF21135, Accepted 07 August 2022

GAMBUT field experiment of peatland wildfires in Sumatra: from ignition to spread and suppression

Muhammad Agung Santoso

, Eirik Christensen, Hafiz Amin, Pither Palamba, Yuqi Hu, Dwi Marhaendro Jati Purnomo, Wuquan Cui, Agus Sunjarianto Pamitran, Franz Richter, Thomas Smith, Yulianto Sulistyo Nugroho