Prototype of an intensity scale for the phenomenon "forest fire".

Abstract

The study financed by the Ministry of Ecology and sustainable Development aims at determining an intensity scale for the forest fire hazard which should enable to classify any forest fire a posteriori, occurring on the French Metropolitan Territory as well as in the Overseas Departments according to its intensity level. The article presents how a first prototype was elaborated, considering that no existing intensity scale has been registered in this area. From an international bibliography and surveys done by experts, the identification of some physical fire parameters and possible damages on types of stakes was performed, the accessibility of aimed data was also studied. The prototype is presented in the form of a table, in which the values of the physical parameters as well as the corresponding damages on specific stakes are summed up for each of the six defined levels (very low, low, average, high, very high, exceptional). This scale was previously assessed by a panel of experts, and will have to be tested by decentralised state services on coming events up to the end of the year 2002.