Center and Circular (Ring) Firing
This technique is useful on cutover areas where a hot fire is needed to reduce or eliminate logging debris prior to seeding or planting. It works best when winds, if any, are light and variable. This procedure should never be used for underburning because of the likelihood of severe tree damage as the flame fronts merge.
As with other burning techniques, the downwind control line is the first line to be ignited. Once the base line is secured, the entire perimeter of the area is ignited and the flame fronts allowed to converge. One or more spot fires are often ignited near the center of the area and allowed to develop before the perimeter of the block is ignited. The convection generated by these interior fires creates indrafts that help pull the outer circle of fire toward the center. This firing method can generally be used in any season, and weather conditions are not as critical. However, caution is in order, particularly when the atmosphere is unstable. This type of fire tends to develop a strong convection column which can cause spotting a considerable distance downwind.
Encyclopedia ID: p565
