Fuel Moisture

The Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District samples vegetation and produces a live fuel moisture report for the District. This report describes the moisture content within the vegetation, or fuel. Moisture content is the single most important factor that determines how much of the total fuel is available for burning, and ultimately, how much is consumed. It also determines if certain fuels will burn, how quickly and completely they will burn, and what phases of combustion the fuels will support. Fuels with a higher moisture content will not ignite or burn as quickly as they would if they had a lower moisture content.