Fire Weather Modules

All Fire Weather Modules are designed to integrate with the ICT International Advanced, Core, or Compact Weather Station.

By bringing appropriate sensor combinations together, the Fire Weather Modules (when combined with appropriate workflows and models) provide the insights that can be used to undertake necessary actions in planning responses to fire risk.

Data

The Fire Weather Modules provide the following data:

Furthermore, these values can be used alongside the calculated the evapotranspiration rate using the Penmen-Monteith FAO56 equation from the weather station. Evapotranspiration is a key measurement when understanding the water relationship in the natural environment, particularly the rate of plant water use for fire risk assessment and management.

Dew point is a crucial in the measurement of fine fuel moisture, those materials that are found on the ground of forests etc. When planning a cool burn, the role of the dew point sensor is to provide insights into the conditions that exist which would trap the most biochar and build up the soil carbon levels.

About the Sensors

Level 1 Sensors (FWM-L1)

Ideal for installations where measurement locations may change frequently (such as harvest risk management), the FWM-L1 Fire Weather Module is mounted to the ICT International cross arm, ready to be installed (once the sensors are orientated to the north/equator as required). Requiring minimal installation infrastructure, the FWM-L1 is designed for repeatable measurements in many locations.

The use of reliable and proven technologies makes the ideal solution for widespread networks across a study site. Designed for ease of installation with the crossarm, the Level 1 sensor provides quality data for fire risk calculations.

• Dew point (Vaisala HMP60): The HMP60 produces a calculated dew point temperature, at ground level – a different value to that measured by the main weather station at 2 metres. The drivers of ground forming dew include soil (and leaf litter) temperature and moisture, therefore measuring close to the ground level is key to get an accurate dew point measurement.

Level 2 Sensors (FWM-L2)

The Level 2 sensors provide detailed measurement on ground level fuel moisture conditions

• Dew point (Vaisala HMP110): The HMP110 builds upon the benefits of the HMP60, but is a higher accuracy for both humidity (±1.5 %RH vs ±3 %RH) and temperature (±0.1 °C vs ±0.5 °C). The temperature/humidity sensor includes a matt radiation shield to reduce reflection, ensuring that there is minimal measurement interference.
• Included in the Level 2 sensor suite is the CS506 Fuel Load Sensor. Using a precision manufactured dowel and a highly accurate moisture sensor attached to the dowel, the Fuel Load Sensor provides an estimate of the 10-hour fuel load that is present at ground level. Recognised as a key parameter in fire risk and fuel load modelling, the fuel load is required in many models to provide accurate estimates (along with other influential parameters) of fuel dryness.

Level 3 Sensors (FWM-L3)

The Level 3 sensor suite includes the measurement of NDVI, a key indicator of how well plants, grasses, and trees are hydrated.

• Dew point (Vaisala HMP155): Bringing increasing accuracy to the measurement process, the HMP155 is a benchmark temperature/humidity sensor that will provide accurate and consistent data to any fire management practices.
• NDVI Apogee SP-411/412: A pair of sensors that calculate the NDVI by measuring the incoming and reflected radiated Red and Near Infrared (NIR) light provided by green foliage. Green foliage represents well hydrated, healthy trees and plants, and this will have sufficient water to supply them. When the plant is under stress, the green (chlorophyll content of leaves) falls, leaving a leaf that reflects more red light. As plants become stressed, red-light reflection increases as the photosynthetic system becomes less efficient and a decreased near infrared reflection as the cells become less turgid due to water stress.

Sensor Specifications