Davies, Mary Ann. 2005. Evaluation of Instruments Used To Measure Fuel Moisture. 0551 2347P. Missoula, MT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Missoula Technology and Development Center. 6 p.
Describes the evaluation of seven scales and meters used to determine the moisture content in 10-hour fuel moisture sticks, (four connnected ponderosa pine dowels) that are used to estimate the moisture in 10-hour dead fuels. For optimal prescribed burning conditions, the moisture content of the 10-hour fuel sticks should be from 8 to 17 percent. Determining fuel moisture can be time consuming, depending on the meter or scale that is used. Accuracy may vary as well. The most accurate instruments evaluated were the Pesola Medio-Line spring scale, the Pocket Firestick Moisture Scale, and the Forester Fuel Moisture Scale, Chisholm model (no longer available).
Keywords: 10-hour fuels, burning, fire behavior, fire behaviour, fuel moisture sticks, meters, prescribed fires, scales
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