Intro Lectures Flashcards
What is a stevenson shield?
Also known as an instument shelter, the stevenson screen protects meteorological instruments from precipitation and direct heat/radiation from outside sources while still allowing air to circulate freely.
- Provides standardized environment from which to take measurements from.
- protects instruments like thermometers, hygrometers, psychrometer, dewcells and barometers.
What is a thermo-hygrograph?
A chart recorder that measures both temperature and humidity.
Uses a bi-metallic strip for temperature and one human hair bundle for humidity.
-Device is configured with a pen that records temperature on a revolving cylinder. The pen is on a lever that is controlled by the temperature sensitive bi-metallic strip that bends as temperature changes.
What is a rain gauge?
an instrument used to measure precipitation of any kind
What is an anemometer?
Also known as a windmeter, it is a device used for measuring wind speed. Variations are used to also measure pressure.
What is a sling psychrometer?
A field tool for taking measurements of relative humidity. Consists of two thermometers mounted together with a handle attached to a chain or rope. This method is quickly being replaced with more accurate electronic sensors.
What are fuel moisture sticks?
A tool used to measure fuel moisture content in fire management operations. A stick with a 10h fuel moisture class is composed of 4 connected 1/2” ponderosa pine dowels. Moisture is calculated by weighing the sticks daily until they reach equilibrium.
What is the optimal 10h fuel moisture percentage for prescribed burns?
what if it is too low???
8-17%
If the fuel moisture content is too low fires can become erratic and beyond human control.
What is the timeframe for fire season in Canada?
Apr 1 - Oct 31 every year
Also whenever fires happen.
What is candling?
When a ground fire transitions into the canopy. This creates the potential for rapid growth as the fire gains access to a large volume of fuel that is above it.
What is combustion?
What about oxidization?
Rapid oxidization that is accompanied by high temperature and light.
Oxidization is a chemical reaction where substances are combined with oxygen. These reactions releases allot of energy.
What 3 essentials form the fire triangle?
Oxygen
Fuel
Heat
What are the 3 primary components of wood as a fuel?
Cellulose
Hemicellulose
Lignin
What is pyrolysis?
The thermal degradation of wood.
Cellulose and hemicellulose are converted to gases that mix with oxygen and burn. Lignin becomes char.
Where are the regional fire centers?
How many zones does each Center have?
Parkseville, Kamloops, Prince George, Castlegar, Williams lake, Smithers.
6 in total
- each has 4-8 zones
What is the function of Fire centers?
Operational guidance
