Fire Intensity of Fuel Materials in Different Phytophysionomies of Paraíba State, Brazil

Fire is considered one of the greatest agents of environmental transformation and its study covers several areas of science. In natural sciences, is considered an essential natural element in the formation and preservation of various ecosystems, though, in areas altered by man, forest fires have caused serious ecological, social and economic damage. In this context, we aimed to evaluate the flammability of combustible material produced in different phytophysionomies in the Paraíba state. Where collected leaves, branches and leaf litter in an area of Caatinga, Atlantic Forest and pine plantings. The flammability was evaluated through rate of spread and intensity of the fire in the burning experimental plots with 1.0 m2. We tested seven combustible materials the treatments: T1 – Aristida adscensionis; T2 – Tabebuia aurea; T3 – Ziziphus joazeiro; T4 – Croton blanchetianus; T5 – Licania rigida; T6 – Litter, and T7 – Pinus spp. (control). The results revealed that the intensity of the fire in the treatment with grass panasco differed from the others, with 127.48 kW m-1, a value higher than the control treatment, where, where there were pines (41%). The speed of propagation and intensity of the fire was higher in the treatment with grass panasco grass (Aristida adscensionis) and its presence in areas of the Caatinga creates a mosaic of high flammability.