ABSTRACT This study quantifies moisture‐driven ignition and combustion dynamics in six Mediterranean fuels (Oran, Algeria; Corte, France) using a cone calorimeter (ASTM E1354). A microwave‐assisted drying method (, ) enabled precise moisture control (< 180 s) while preserving live‐fuel integrity. Results revealed an exponential increase in ignition delays with moisture content () for all species except Eucalyptus globulus , linked to fuel bed compactness () and a characteristic moisture (). While low irradiance () rendered the effective heat of combustion (EHC) moisture‐independent (preignition drying), high irradiance () reduced combustion efficiency due to residual water. Notably, Phoenix dactylifera exhibited exceptionally low apparent EHC ) and prolonged ignition duration (), highlighting its potential as a natural fire‐resistant material. These findings advance standardized testing for live fuels and inform fire‐resistant landscaping in Mediterranean ecosystems.
Krim et al. (Fri,) studied this question.
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