METEOROLOGICAL ASPECTS OF FOREST FIRE DANGER RATING

Abstract

The effect of past weather conditions on inflammability and the influence of weather on fire behaviour are discussed. Using a method of deriving inflammability from rainfall, temperature and humidity data the frequency of days of high inflammability in January, February and March in the Cape over eight years is derived and shows a maximum in mid-February. With the use of a burning index meter daily values of fire danger rating at the Cape for the same months in 1953–1955 are derived. Attention is called to the advantages of an objective method of forest fire danger rating and the role meteorological forecasts can play in fire protection.