Surface Fires

Surface fires propagate through fuels less than two meters high, which are commonly small trees, shrubs, herbaceous vegetation, fallen leaves, pine needles, and woody litter (see Surface Fuels; Pastor et al. 2003). Surface fires are by far the most common type of fire in the fire regimes of most southeastern communities (see Fire Ecology).

In surface and crown fires, the head is the most rapidly spreading portion of a fire’s perimeter and is usually on the upslope or downwind side of the fire. Fire intensities are higher in the head of a fire than elsewhere around the fire perimeter. Key factors that influence head formation are rate of spread and intensity, which in turn are influenced by wind speed, slope, and fuel type.