Remote automated system for measuring fine dead fuel moisture
Pellizzaro G.1, Ventura A.1, Arca A.1, Arca B.1
1National Research Council of Italy – Institute for the BioEconomy
Last updated: 23/09/2026
Recommended citation:
Pellizzaro G., Ventura A., Arca A., & Arca B. 2026. Remote automated system for measuring fine dead fuel moisture. In: Pere Casals, Davide Ascoli, Lena Vilà-Vilardell, Imma Oliveras, Madoka Krick (eds.) 2026. Methods handbook for characterizing fire use behavior, assessing fire effects, and monitoring soil and vegetation responses at the stand level. FIRE-ADAPT project (number 101086416), deliverable D1.1
Indicator
Fuel flammability: Fuel moisture content
Brief introduction
Dead fine fuel moisture content (FMC) is a key factor in determining wildfire ignition and behaviour: the higher the fine fuel moisture content, the more energy needed to evaporate the moisture before the fuels can ignite.
This variable is always present in several fire danger indices such as the National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) or the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System. Accurate and up-to-date measurements of dry fuel moisture are difficult to obtain because common methods involve manual sampling in the field and oven drying, which results in delayed availability of results. Electronic systems for the continuous measurement of dead fuel moisture are currently available on the market and allow this data to be acquired on an hourly basis. A network of sensors that monitor the moisture content of dead fuel provides continuous, up-to-date information, particularly on days with severe weather conditions1. This improves the ability to estimate the risk of forest fires.
1 A prototype network for monitoring dead fuel moisture (10h) using automatic measurement sensors was set up in Sardinia by CNR IBE as part of the Interreg PROTERINA-DUE project and successively upgraded as part of the Interreg MED-Star2 project (European Cooperation Program INTERREG IT-FR Maritime/Marittimo 2007-2013). Each measuring system is autonomous and was assembled by staff from the CNR’s IBE.
Method specifications
Method type
Soft
Hard
Method timing
Before
fire
During
fire
After fire
(short-term)
After fire
(mid-term)
After fire
(long-term)
Field skills
Low
Medium
Hard
Lab skills
Low
Medium
Hard
Material cost
Low
Medium
Hard
Time cost
Low
Medium
Hard
Calculation expertise
Low
Medium
Hard
Equipment
The automated remote measuring system consists of:
- One 10 h fuel moisture stick (in Pinus Ponderosa)2 connected to a fuel moisture sensor developed by Campbell Scientific Inc.
One fuel temperature stick (in Pinus Ponderosa) connected to a temperature probe developed by Campbell Scientific Inc.
- One mounting stake
One data logger
The power supply system consists of:
- One 5W solar panel with support
- One 6 V DC/2 Ah backup battery (AA)
- One web-based data transmission system
2 Pinus ponderosa is the same type of wood traditionally used for making the standard fuel moisture indicator sticks. These sticks, of known dry weight, are continuously exposed to the weather and periodically weighed to estimate the moisture content of dead fuels, which is required for calculating the National Fire-Danger Rating System in the United States
Experimental design
Measurement sites should be selected based on exposure, altitude, geographical characteristics, as well as the frequency of fires in the area under consideration in order to obtain a network that represents different environmental conditions. It is also advisable to select measurement sites close to meteorological stations.
Methodology
The network should be set up in three stages:
- Identification of the measuring locations.
- Installation of the measuring system. Each system is capable of acquiring fuel moisture and temperature data on an hourly basis. The acquisition system is completely autonomous and consists of: a pair of sensors for measuring moisture and temperature for a standard fuel (Pinus ponderosa); a power supply system with a 5W solar panel and a 6Vdc/2Ah backup battery, AA; a data logger complete with SIM card.
- Installation of a web-based transmission system that automatically communicates via modem to an FTP server where the data is stored.
Relation with other methods
NA
Illustrations
Data templates
Link to template (NA)