What are available fuels?

Available fuels refer to all types of materials, both live and dead, that can ignite and sustain combustion. This includes various forms of vegetation such as grass, shrubs, and trees, along with organic debris that may have accumulated, such as fallen leaves or branches. Both live fuels, which contain moisture but can still burn under the right conditions, and dead fuels, which have dried out and are ready to ignite more easily, contribute to the available fuel load in a fire environment.

Understanding the combination of both live and dead fuels is crucial for predicting fire behavior, as the type and condition of these fuels affect how a fire will spread and develop. Factors such as moisture content, arrangement, and size of the fuel particles play significant roles in fire dynamics. Therefore, identifying all available fuels that can potentially catch fire and contribute to a fire's spread is essential for fire management and suppression strategies.