Forest fire is one of the main reasons of forest degradation in India and has adverse impact on environment, economy and human health. In Himachal Pradesh, mid hills forests are largely prone to ground fires due to accumulation of litter on the forest floor. Therefore, the present investigation was carried out in pure pine, pure oak and mixed forests of Himachal Pradesh with the aim of determining forest floor characters viz. fuel thickness (cm), biomass density (t ha-1), moisture content (%) and calorific value (cal g-1), using Randomized Block Design technique. Fuel thickness was measured using a meter rod, biomass and moisture content was estimated using green weight and oven dry weight of samples and calorific value measurements were taken using bomb calorimeter. Results revealed that pure pine forests had thicker fuel (5.62 cm) with highest biomass density (5.68 t ha-1) and lowest moisture content (2.05%) among all three forests. Floor fuel of pine forests, which were primarily co

Forest fire, forest floor characters, forest fuel.

The objective of present investigation was to characterize fuel in pure pine, pure oak and mixed forests of Himachal Pradesh which mainly contribute to ground fire incidences. Results revealed that pure pine forest provided most favourable conditions to forest fire due to thicker fuel (5.62 cm), denser biomass (5.68 t ha-1), lower moisture content (2.05%) and high calorific value (5731.2 cal g-1). Fuel thickness and biomass density could play important role in spread of forest fire by providing continue fuel (Jhariya, 2014; Reinhardt et al., 2010; Prasad et al., 2008 and Hill et al., 2000). Low moisture content with high calorific value can contribute to fire initiation (Arkadiusz, 2015; Zeng et al., 2014; Gravalos et al., 2010 and Dimitrakopoulos and Papaioannou, 2001). Hence fuel management practices are necessary to reduce fire occurrence in pine forests.

Mehta, D. and Baweja, P. K. (2021). Characterizing Forest Fire Fuel in mid-hills of Himachal Pradesh. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 13(2): 488-493.