A method for measuring the relative particle fire hazard properties of forest species

A simple method was developed to determine the relative particle foliar flammability and heat content of forest fuels. The apparatus used was similar to the one described by the 79/831 European Commission Directive for measuring the relative self-ignition temperature (minimum ambient temperature at which a certain volume of a substance ignites under defined conditions). The forest materials examined were: Cupressus sempervirens (Italian cypress), Olea europaea (Olive tree), Pinus brutia (Calabrian pine), Pinus halepensis (Aleppo pine), Pistacia lentiscus (Mastic tree), Quercus coccifera (Holly oak). These species are very common in the Mediterranean region and frequently devastated by forest fires. The relative data determined (self-ignition temperature, ignition delay times, combustion duration, etc.) provide a simple screening test on the fire hazard properties of forest species, which could be used for comparison purposes. Among the forest species examined, Pinus brutia had the highest relative ignition temperature and the longest ignition delay time, while Pistacia lentiscus had the lowest and shortest ones. Also, Quercus coccifera and Pistacia lentiscus had the highest heat content and Olea europaea the lowest one. Finally, Cupressus sempervirens was the most combustible and Pinus halepensis the most sustainable fuel.