Characteristics of fire behaviour in the montane grasslands of Natal.

Abstract

Fire behaviour characteristics were investigated in the montane grasslands of the Natal Drakensberg. The behaviour of experimental fires was measured together with the accompanying biotic and abiotic conditions. Estimates of heat yield, mass of available fuel and forward rate of spread enabled the calculation of intensity of fires in shrublands, woodland and grassland. The results show marked seasonal differences in fire behaviour for given vegetation types, and give an indication of the conditions under which fires can be safely burned.

Keywords; Drakensberg; fire; fire behaviour; fire intensity; Fire types; flame height; Fuel availability; grassland; grasslands; KwaZulu/Natal; montane grassland; Montane grasslands; natal; natal drakensberg; rate of spread; south africa; type of fire; vegetation types

Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa.