The initiation of smouldering peat fire by a glowing firebrand

Background Wildfires represent a significant threat to peatlands globally, but whether peat fires can be initiated by a lofted firebrand is still unknown. Aims We investigated the ignition threshold of peat fires by a glowing firebrand through laboratory-scale experiments. Methods The oven-dried weight (ODW) moisture content (MC) of peat samples varied from 5% ODW to 100% ODW, and external wind (ν) with velocities up to 1 m/s was provided in a wind tunnel. Key results and conclusions When MC