Regardless of the fine dead fuel moisture percentage, what primarily determines the rate of spread in wildland fires?

The rate of spread in wildland fires is significantly influenced by wind speed. Though factors like fine dead fuel moisture, live fuel moisture, ambient temperature, and humidity play roles in fire behavior, wind speed is a dominant factor because it directly affects how quickly flames can propagate through fuel.

Wind aids in spreading heat and embers, allowing the fire to jump to new fuels. It can also increase the intensity of the fire by driving it towards areas with more flammable materials. While fine dead fuel moisture is important, it mostly affects ignition and does not have the same immediate impact on spread as wind does. Therefore, when considering what primarily determines the rate of spread, wind speed is the key factor due to its ability to rapidly move flames across a landscape.