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Stay Cool under Fire: Can Pre-moistening Soil beneath a Prescribed Burn Site Reduce Soil Temperatures?

CSEF · 2019 Earth & Environmental Sciences Honorable_mention Award

Abigail W. Goodman · Pacific Collegiate School, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County

Overview

Objectives The objective of this experiment was to see if pre-moistening soil is an effective way to limit soil temperature during a prescribed burn. If so, this might be an effective tool for minimizing temperature- induced impacts of prescribed burns. Methods A heat-resistant ruler with attached thermistors was buried in soil to measure soil temperature at 4 depths during and after a simulated prescribed burn over dry (control) and moist (test) soil. Results Maximum temperature in moist soil was reduced by ~50% at all 4 depths in each trial. Conclusions The results suggest pre-moistening soil could be an effective technique for lowering maximum temperatures during prescribed burns, and thus could minimize ecosystem damage.

Summary statement

By pre-moistening the soil below a fire, I reduced maximum soil temperatures during test burns, showing that this may be a tool to reduce ecosystem damage from prescribed burns.

Help received

I built the project apparatus. My parents helped me conduct the prescribed burns, including safety support, and my dad helped me understand some of the science behind my results.

Awards (1)

  • Honorable Mention

Competition history

  • CSEF 2019 Earth & Environmental Sciences · Entry J0909

Resources

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