Research Article

A Simple Technique to Estimate the Flammability Index of Moroccan Forest Fuels

Table 6

Moroccan species classification using their flammability index (FI) values calculated from their linear equations ( ) and their average moisture content of their leaves or needles determined during the critical summer period from July to September.

Tree/shrub speciesFlammability index (FI-value)Species flammability classification

Quercus suber L.2,97Flammable species
(2.5 ≤ FI < 3.5)
Phyllerea angustifolia L.2,97
Acacia  mollissima 2.85
Quercus faginea L.2,83
Cistus monspeliensis L.2,69

Viburnum tinus L.2,41Moderately flammable species
(1.5 ≤ FI < 2.5)
Arbutus unedo L.2,38
Lavandula stoechas L.2,33
Cistus crispus L.2,27
Cistus albidus L.2,16
Cistus ladaniferus L.2,14
Erica arborea L.2,11
Eucalyptus camaldulensis D.2,12
Cistus salviifolius L.1,96
Teline linifolia L.1,96
Pistacia lentiscus L.1,88
Olea europea L.1,69
Pinus canariensis L.1,65
Pinus pinaster  var.  maritima 1,64

Cedrus atlantica L.1,35Less flammable species
(0.5 ≤ FI < 1.5)
Myrtus communis L.1,21

Thymelaea lythroides L.0,47Least flammable species
(FI < 0.5)

FI-value classification scale: least flammable (FI < 0.5), less flammable (0.5 ≤ FI <1.5), moderately flammable (1.5 ≤ FI < 2.5), flammable (2.5 ≤ FI <3.5), highly flammable (3.5 ≤ FI < 4.5), and most flammable (4.5 ≤ FI).