NFDRS Fuel Models

The twenty National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) fuel models, similar to the FBPS fuel models but with extra parameters needed for fire danger prediction, are typically used in fire danger rating systems such as the National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS). These 20 fuel types were selected for modeling based on: their significance as a fuel type, interest expressed by fire managers, and the availability of fuels and fire behavior data with which to develop and test the models. Since the target area for a fire danger rating system often encompasses tens of thousands of acres the fuel models need only reflect the “typical” fuel situation in each fire-danger rating area (Deeming 1975). A fuel model key also exists which helps to determine which fuel models are appropriate for a particular area (Deeming 1977). The USDA Forest Service also provides a map of the NFDRS fuel models across the lower 48 states at 1 km resolution.

NFDRS Fuel Models

1. western annual grasses
2. California mixed chaparral
3. pine grass savanna
4. southern rough
5. hardwoods (winter)
6. intermediate brush
7. short needle pine (heavy dead)
8. short needle pine (normal dead)
9. heavy logging slash
10. intermediate logging slash
11. light logging slash
12. western perennial grass
13. sawgrass
14. high pocosin
15. southern pine plantation
16. Alaskan black spruce
17. hardwoods (summer)
18. tundra
19. sagebrush-grass
20. western long-needled conifer