The Use of `Thermocolor' Pyrometers in the Study of Heath Fire Behaviour

(1) The use of heat-sensitive materials to study temperatures in vegetation fires is reviewed. (2) A pyrometer using 'Thermocolor' paints on mica strips is described and a calibration is given for heath fire conditions. (3) A method of data presentation is described which allows full use of pyrometer data and illustrates the variation in temperatures reached in the fire area. (4) Results are presented for heath fires in Scotland which show that temperature variation in the canopy can be related to variation in stand structure.