Timber Fuel Models

Timber fuel models are actually models of "litter" on the forest floor. Timber litter consists of the fallen leaves, needles, small woody debris and larger logs on the forest floor. Timber litter occurs in all ecosystems dominated by trees, but it is the main surface fuel in closed canopy forest systems, such as short-needle conifers or hardwoods where understory growth is limited (Anderson 1982). Compact layering of the fuels on the forest floor reduces the surface area exposed to air and therefore the rate of combustion and fire spread within the fuels tends to be slow.

Timber fuel models make up FPBS models 8-10.