Evaluation of McArthur's control burning guide in regrowthEucalyptus sieberiforest

Summary Equations were fitted to the tables and graphs developed by Alan Mc Arthur (1923–1978) to predict low intensity fires suitable for control burning in mature eucalypt forest. These equations were used here to evaluate the suitability of McArthur's burning guide for predicting low-intensity fire behaviour and scorch damage in E. sieben regrowth forests of coastal New South Wales. The predicted values are compared with the observed fire behaviour data from 37 experimental fires. The burning guide predicted the moisture content of dead, fine surface fuel reasonably well within the range commonly used for prescribed burning, but over-predicted wind speed in the forest, and under-predicted rate of spread, flame height and scorch height. The guide is not recommended for use in the regrowth forest.