Building the Components of a UK Fire Danger Rating System: Progress, Challenges and Future Development

The UK has a complex fire regime, including traditional management burning and episodic wildfires. In addition, a mix of land cover types and a diverse rural-urban interface means there are distinct fire challenges, including threats to human life and property, as well as land assets and ecological functioning. Fire danger is the combination of both constant and variable factors that affect the initiation, spread, and ease of controlling a wildfire. Fire Danger Rating Systems (FDRS) have a primary objective of assessing fuel and weather conditions, and provide broad estimates about fuel flammability and the potential fire behaviour under those conditions. This is particularly important in facilitating effective fire management. However, the UK currently lacks a fully functioning FDRS.

The UKFDRS project (www.ukfdrs.com) is half way through a five year programme of research to build the underpinning research for a tailored UK system, including field monitoring, laboratory analysis, earth observation, fire behaviour modelling and geospatial analysis. This work is supported by a network of project partners who provide invaluable assistance with data provision, data collection, critical feedback and project advocacy. This presentation will give an overview of the progress to date and outline the next steps for the project.