Framework for assessing live fine fuel loads and biomass consumption during fire

Abstract Accurate quantification of fine fuel loads (e.g. foliage and twigs) in forests is required for many fire behaviour models, and for assessing post-fire changes in carbon stocks and modelling smoke emissions. Fine fuels burn readily and are thus often targeted for fuel load assessments. Estimates of fine live fuel loads often rely on visual assessments or utilise allometric equations that relate stem diameter of plants to total above-ground biomass. Here, we develop allometric equations for shrubs that relate stem diameter to the portion of above-ground biomass comprised of fine fuel. Our study area is within the temperate eucalypt forests of south-eastern Australia. We present equations for (i) foliage; (ii) all biomass