Variations in Fire-Danger Factors on a Ranger District in the Longleaf Pine Region

A very practical limitation in the administrative use of fire-danger ratings is the number of danger stations that must be operated to give dependable results. A fire danger station may be representative of a considerable territory or its measurements may reflect conditions in only a limited area. Morris has shown that in the Northwest a relatively large number of stations were needed to attain an accuracy of even 5 miles per hour in wind velocity, principally as a result of topography. In the southern coastal plain the problem is quite different--the question is whether or not one station per ranger district is adequate. Mr. Knorr has made such a study on and near the Conecuh National Forest in southern Alabama; his results, although based on limited data, are indicative of the range that may be expected in wind velocity, moisture content, and danger rating on such an area and points out the need for further data of this sort for sound administrative practice.