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On a quest to fire-smart communities: A flammability study
The device used in conducting flammability experiments - “plant braai”.
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Scenes after extreme wildfires in Buffels Bay. Photo taken August 2018.
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If you reside in the southern Cape coast’s fynbos and thicket vegetation, you live in the wildland-urban interface (WUI). You are inherently at risk from a wildfire. Studies around the world have reported that many wildfires affecting the communities in the WUI start in fire-prone ecosystems, similar to South Africas’ fynbos. Uncomfortably so, it is not a matter of if a wildfire will impact your surroundings but when; it should not have to get there, again. What if we could mitigate wildfire risk using indigenous plants of low flammability to slow down fire spread in the WUI? A recent study from Nelson Mandela University assessed the flammability of indigenous and invasive alien woody plants occurring in the southern Cape. It was recognised that knowing the ability of plants to catch fire can help improve wildfire mitigation strategies.
Flammability experiments were conducted on 30 plants representative of fynbos, thicket and invasive species. The species’ flammability was compared (i) under a range of fire weather conditions and (ii) in relation to their fuel traits.
Effects of fire weather on flammability
It was found that with the increase in fire weather the species would spontaneously ignite, burn at higher intensities, and be completely consumed by fire. The invasive plants burnt at a much higher intensity compared to fynbos and thicket.
Effects of fuel traits on flammability
It was evident that fuel moisture influenced the overall flammability. Moreover, the accumulation of dry fuels increased fire intensity. Generally, the flammability was the highest in invasive species, intermediate in fynbos and lowest in thicket.
Where to now?
Authorities carry out massive undertakings during wildfires and their capacities can be exceeded at times. It is worth illuminating the need for WUI communities to also respond to the potential wildfire risk by maintaining fuel loading and eradicating invasive species in their backyards.
The emerging question is, how to ensure that the low-flammable indigenous species dominate the WUI.
Published papers accessible here: https://peerj.com/articles/10161/ and https://peerj.com/articles/13765/.
Contact: Samukelisiwe Msweli
Cell: +27 (0) 76 054 1001
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://georgecampus.mandela.ac.za/
Flammability experiments were conducted on 30 plants representative of fynbos, thicket and invasive species. The species’ flammability was compared (i) under a range of fire weather conditions and (ii) in relation to their fuel traits.
Effects of fire weather on flammability
It was found that with the increase in fire weather the species would spontaneously ignite, burn at higher intensities, and be completely consumed by fire. The invasive plants burnt at a much higher intensity compared to fynbos and thicket.
Effects of fuel traits on flammability
It was evident that fuel moisture influenced the overall flammability. Moreover, the accumulation of dry fuels increased fire intensity. Generally, the flammability was the highest in invasive species, intermediate in fynbos and lowest in thicket.
Where to now?
Authorities carry out massive undertakings during wildfires and their capacities can be exceeded at times. It is worth illuminating the need for WUI communities to also respond to the potential wildfire risk by maintaining fuel loading and eradicating invasive species in their backyards.
The emerging question is, how to ensure that the low-flammable indigenous species dominate the WUI.
Published papers accessible here: https://peerj.com/articles/10161/ and https://peerj.com/articles/13765/.
Contact: Samukelisiwe Msweli
Cell: +27 (0) 76 054 1001
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://georgecampus.mandela.ac.za/