Bushfire behaviour is influenced by many things including temperature, relative humidity, forest type, fuel quantity and fuel dryness, topography and even slope. Wind has a dominant effect on the Rate of Spread (ROS), and also bushfire size, shape and direction. Fuel arrangement is as important as fuel quantity (tonnes/ha). Fibrous and ribbon bark, together with elevated and near-surface scrub fuels act as ladders which lead flames into the tree canopy. But the availability of fuel to burn depends largely on its moisture content. When it exceeds 20-25% not much will burn, whereas 12-15% is generally ideal for fuel reduction burning, but if the moisture content drops as low as 7-10% virtually everything will ignite, and fire behaviour becomes extreme. During the afternoon of the Ash Wednesday bushfires on 16 February 1983 fuel moisture contents were recorded at Stawell as low as 2.7%. Fine fuels like leaves and bark can rapidly absorb moisture after a shower of rain, or from the air when the Relative Humidity (RH) is high, and the temperature is low. Conversely, they can also dry out very quickly. So even though the overall fuel quantity in the forest doesn’t change, the fine fuel availability can increase rapidly from zero after rain to many tonnes per hectare as the fuel dries out. This can happen over a few hours on hot and windy days. Heavy fuels like logs on the ground take longer to dry out. Since the 1930s foresters, firefighters and researchers have been working to develop quick and reliable techniques for measuring fuel moisture content. One of the most accurate methods is slowly drying a sample of fuel in a conventional oven for 24-48 hours to remove all the moisture and measuring the weight difference, but this takes time and is not practical in the field when rapid measurements are needed. But oven drying is often used as a benchmark to compare other methods. Microwave ovens are faster but can cause uneven drying and even char the fuel. They are also not very practical for use in the field. Some mathematical models rely on weather records such as rainfall, wind speed, evaporation, cloud cover, shading, relative humidity, slope, aspect and season of the year to predict soil and fuel moisture. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index of soil dryness is the most common. But complex fuels with leaves, twigs, grass etc make the predictive models often inadequate for fine fuels. The most common technique in Victorian forests until recently was the trusty Speedy Moisture Meter. Originally developed in England during the 1920s for measuring moisture in wheat and other grains it was adapted for Australian forest fuels in the 1950s (I think). Fuel was first ground using a Spong mincer, often attached to the bullbar of a vehicle, and a small sample placed into the Speedy together with a measure of calcium carbide and then sealed. A chemical reaction created gas pressure which was read on the external dial. There were important techniques with cleaning, mincing and using the chemicals with the Speedy to give reliable readings, but it was quick, inexpensive, robust, portable and practical in the field. It was used routinely before igniting a fuel reduction burn or measuring fuel moisture differentials on slash burns. But in about 1996, Karen Chatto and Kevin Tolhurst from the Department’s Creswick Research Station developed the Wiltronics Fuel Moisture meter which measured electrical resistance. Wiltronics is an Australian owned company operating from Ballarat. The final result was a kit that was portable, accurate and could reliably measure fuel moisture contents between 3% and 200%. Although expensive, it is now widely used by fire agencies around the world which has virtually relegated the Speedy to the back cupboard.Prototype Fuel moisture meterT-H Fine Fuel Meterforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, forest measurement

April 1975, Saigon, US helicopters cumbersomely lift off from the roof of the American Embassy, heavily laden with fleeing diplomats, military officers and senior officials.shell oil company, vietnam war, 1961-1975, petroleum industry and trade -- vietnam, us helicopters, saigon, south vietnamese, vietcong, american embassy, military officers, senior officials

Mower fuel container also marked as "Victa Motor Mower Fuel".Metal container for mower fuel.The slogan "Best for 2-stroke", instructions for mixing ideal fuel combination, quick fault finding and advice to shake can before use. petrol cans, mower fuel

Ron White used these dry fuel sticks for cooking when camping. He was involved in the Mt Beauty Youth Club.Ron White assisted with the Mt Beauty Youth Group. See KVHS 1282Each packet has dry fuel sticks which are solid white powder sticks used for warming and cooking. There are several sticks (or tablets) in each packet. There are two packets in a hinged brown and gold tin box with the photo of a man playing a violin on the lid and three packets n a coloured tin with a red base and the photo of a steam train on the detached lid."Solid Fuel Hot Pocket Warmer" and "Esbit Pocket-Sized Stove" on packets stored in 'Sweetacres" embossed on the base of the tin. "Solid Fuel Sticks for Hot Pocket Warmer" and x2 "Esbit Dry Fuel" on packets in "Griffiths Sweets Pty Ltd Melbourne" embossed on the base of the 'train tin'. ron white, fuel sticks, camping, cooking

Chrome Bicycle lamp has round glass lens at the front with red reflectors at the side and facing the back. Mounting clips are at the back. The top has a screw lid for fuel. and a regulator. Fuel is stored in a cylindrical container attached to the light's lens area. Cracked lensPanther B'Ham (on top of fuel cylinder)bike, bicycle, lamp

Solid fuel stove, with stovetop cooking device, ash tray and oven, with two opening doors. Fire flu at back which extends up the chimney.Lux' on fuel cabinetdomestic items, cooking, stove, lux, fire, kitchen

This type Hexamine Stove was used by members of the AIF during postings to Vietnam.This Stove is an original issue to a member of the AIF who served in Vietnam.Painted black, metal, oblong Hexamine Stove with four fuel Tablets.There are no markings on the Stove. The Fuel Packet is marked on the front of the Box - Fuel, Compressed Hexamine Contents: 4 Tablets, Explosives Factory, Maribyrnong. On the back of the Box - Directions for Use, numbered one to four.stove, vietnam, aif

An unopened pack of fuel compressed hexamine tablets for a hexamine stoveFuel compressed Hexamine contents contents four tablets Maribyrnong Explosives Factoryhexamine stove, field stove, tablets

Used to mince fuel samples to measure moisture content Representative samples of fuel such as bark, leaves, twigs etc were minced and the moisture measured The availability of fuel to burn depends largely on its moisture content. When it exceeds 20-25% not much will burn, whereas 12-15% is generally ideal for fuel reduction burning, but if the moisture content drops as low as 7-10% virtually everything will ignite, and fire behaviour becomes extreme. During the afternoon of the Ash Wednesday bushfires on 16 February 1983 fuel moisture contents were recorded at Stawell as low as 2.7%. Fine fuels like leaves and bark can rapidly absorb moisture after a shower of rain, or from the air when the Relative Humidity (RH) is high, and the temperature is low. Conversely, they can also dry out very quickly. So even though the overall fuel quantity in the forest doesn’t change, the fine fuel availability can increase rapidly from zero after rain to many tonnes per hectare as the fuel dries out. This can happen over a few hours on hot and windy days. Heavy fuels like logs on the ground take longer to dry out. Fuel mincer Made at Altona as an alternative design to the commercial Spong Mincer With wooden plug to push fuel into the mincer and glass jar to collect sampleforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, forest measurement

Used to measure fuel moisture content Representative samples of fuel such as bark, leaves, twigs etc were minced and the moisture measured The availability of fuel to burn depends largely on its moisture content. When it exceeds 20-25% not much will burn, whereas 12-15% is generally ideal for fuel reduction burning, but if the moisture content drops as low as 7-10% virtually everything will ignite, and fire behaviour becomes extreme. During the afternoon of the Ash Wednesday bushfires on 16 February 1983 fuel moisture contents were recorded at Stawell as low as 2.7%. Fine fuels like leaves and bark can rapidly absorb moisture after a shower of rain, or from the air when the Relative Humidity (RH) is high, and the temperature is low. Conversely, they can also dry out very quickly. So even though the overall fuel quantity in the forest doesn’t change, the fine fuel availability can increase rapidly from zero after rain to many tonnes per hectare as the fuel dries out. This can happen over a few hours on hot and windy days. Heavy fuels like logs on the ground take longer to dry out. Adaption of a commercial timber moisture meter measure fuelTF 933 Cforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, forest measurement

This photograph was taken by Cpl Joseph Charles Mercieca (A316866) who was with the Royal Australian Air Force and served in Vietnam with the No. 1 Operational Support Unit from July 1969 to July 1970Colour Photograph of a direct hit by a Viet Cong rocket on a fuel dump 1969.'Direct Hit' Fuel Dump Hit by V C Rocket 1969 Photographed by J C Merciecacpl joseph charles mercieca, a316866, royal australian air force, no. 1 operational support unit, photograph, vc rocket, viet cong

Used to measure moisture content by electric current resistance Representative samples of fuel such as bark, leaves, twigs etc were minced and the moisture measured The availability of fuel to burn depends largely on its moisture content. When it exceeds 20-25% not much will burn, whereas 12-15% is generally ideal for fuel reduction burning, but if the moisture content drops as low as 7-10% virtually everything will ignite, and fire behaviour becomes extreme. During the afternoon of the Ash Wednesday bushfires on 16 February 1983 fuel moisture contents were recorded at Stawell as low as 2.7%. Fine fuels like leaves and bark can rapidly absorb moisture after a shower of rain, or from the air when the Relative Humidity (RH) is high, and the temperature is low. Conversely, they can also dry out very quickly. So even though the overall fuel quantity in the forest doesn’t change, the fine fuel availability can increase rapidly from zero after rain to many tonnes per hectare as the fuel dries out. This can happen over a few hours on hot and windy days. Heavy fuels like logs on the ground take longer to dry out. Commercial timber moisture meter used to measure fuelDCR9-Tforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, forest measurement

Representative samples of fuel such as bark, leaves, twigs etc were minced and the moisture measured The availability of fuel to burn depends largely on its moisture content. When it exceeds 20-25% not much will burn, whereas 12-15% is generally ideal for fuel reduction burning, but if the moisture content drops as low as 7-10% virtually everything will ignite, and fire behaviour becomes extreme. During the afternoon of the Ash Wednesday bushfires on 16 February 1983 fuel moisture contents were recorded at Stawell as low as 2.7%. Fine fuels like leaves and bark can rapidly absorb moisture after a shower of rain, or from the air when the Relative Humidity (RH) is high, and the temperature is low. Conversely, they can also dry out very quickly. So even though the overall fuel quantity in the forest doesn’t change, the fine fuel availability can increase rapidly from zero after rain to many tonnes per hectare as the fuel dries out. This can happen over a few hours on hot and windy days. Heavy fuels like logs on the ground take longer to dry out. Adaption of a timber moisture meter made by the FCV radio lab to measure fuelforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, forest measurement

Part of the Gwen Goedecke CollectionInvite with map from Gas and Fuel Corporation of Victoria to Mayor C. J.A. Tighe for the opening of the new natural gas compressing station Old Geelong Road Brooklyn dated 25th November 1974gas and fuel corporation of victoria, gas

Small stove used for cooking when camping; used kerosene for fuel.Small metal camp stove with 4 legs and integrated container for fuel.stoves, camping equipment

The photograph shows the bus fuel tanks at the Central Garage, MMTB, Nicholson St North Fitzroy. The building behind the tanks remain, but the tanks have been removed (2026).Yields information about the fuel tanks at the Central bus garage, c1960Black and white photograph with notes on the rear.In pencil "Fuel tanks, Traffic ? Central workshops"tramways, mmtb, central bus garage, fuel tanks

This iron used its own fuel to heat up the iron rather than earlier flat irons that required heating on top of the stove."Comfort Self Heating" clothes iron. Spirit iron with wooden handle and metal tank for spirit fuel (probably benzene.). Different fuels were used, some with dire resultsflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, spirit iron, self, heating iron, comfort iron, comfort self heating iron

V.R Fuel Can for Trolley - Victorian Railways Fuel Can for Trolly Motor Spirit Highly Inflammable Transporting Tin Container "Motor Spirit" is just another name for petrol. "K" and the "KS" Kasey Trolleys were two stroke petrol motors Operation, Care and Maintenance of Track Motors Victorian Railways, 1959 http://www.geoffsrailpix.com/Documents/Motors.pdf gives the following : Inspection motor type B, - straight petrol Inspection motor type V, - pre-mixed petrol Motorised tricycle type M.T., - pre-mixed petrol Gang motor type K.S., - pre-mixed petrol Gang motor type K - pre-mixed petrol Motor cars altered for rail uses (Wiki) Petrol Inspection Car This was a small car numbered '1' and named the Inspection Car. It was built in England in 1923, but was not found in the 1936 stocktake. Gang Motor The eight-horsepower Gang Motor held five people, and was built at Arden Street in late 1923. In 1950 the vehicle was removed from the rolling stock register and given to "Way and Works" as a track motor. Motor Car The Motor Car was put into service in mid 1925, after being fitted with rail wheels in lieu of tyres. In 1927 the car was named "Mr Molomby's Inspection Car", and allocated to Seymour. It was scrapped in 1952. Dodge Cars There were seven Dodge cars in rail service. The cars were numbered 1 to 6, with car 7 listed "No 7 Repair". The cars were built by the Dodge Company of Melbourne and assembled at Newport. Construction was in 1925 and they lasted until 1949.Historic - Victorian Railways - Permanent Way and Works - track equipment - V.R Fuel Can for TrolleyV.R Fuel Can for Trolly - Metal Fuel TinMotor Spirit Highly Flammable V.R 8 ?puffing billy, victorian railways, fuel can, trolley, trolly

Newspaper clipping 14/11/1968. Article calling for tenders for stone, fuel and concrete kerbing for Phillip Island Shire Council.Article calling for tenders for stone, fuel and concrete kerbing for Phillip Island Shire Council.phillip island, phillip island shire council, tender for kerbing

This hand tool was used to reduce tussock grass by burning. It comprised of a long wooden handle with a wick and fuel container at one end. This kind of implement was used in the early 20th Century up until around the 1940s.The tussock burner is of local historical significance as an example of the kind of hand tools used during the period of early farming in the Koroit district. The significance is increased by its possible connection to Joseph Patrick Lee, farmer of Wangoom.The tussock burner is a long handled tool with a fuel burner at one end. farming implements, tussock, burner, tools, wangoom, st mary's farm

From the home of Mrs. Nell Sebire, 2nd wife of Thomas Sebire. On loan from Lance Sebire. Son of Nell and Thomas.Aladdin Lamp - White china shade with leaf design and plain glass edging. Clear glass lamp chimney. Metal fuel container, and wick assembly. Has stamped base.Metal base - "Juno Lamp made in USA" stamped. Fuel cap has "Miller" inscribed. Wick has logo and "Made in USA" stamped on it. kerosene lamps

Two colour photographs of a forestry department burn off in the forest. This is done on a regular basis to reduce the fuel load in the case of a bushfire.Two colour photographs of a forestry department burn off in the forest.marysville, victoria, australia, forest fire management victoria, photograph

Used to mince fuel samples to measure moisture content Representative samples of fuel such as bark, leaves, twigs etc were minced and the moisture measured The availability of fuel to burn depends largely on its moisture content. When it exceeds 20-25% not much will burn, whereas 12-15% is generally ideal for fuel reduction burning, but if the moisture content drops as low as 7-10% virtually everything will ignite, and fire behaviour becomes extreme. During the afternoon of the Ash Wednesday bushfires on 16 February 1983 fuel moisture contents were recorded at Stawell as low as 2.7%. Fine fuels like leaves and bark can rapidly absorb moisture after a shower of rain, or from the air when the Relative Humidity (RH) is high, and the temperature is low. Conversely, they can also dry out very quickly. So even though the overall fuel quantity in the forest doesn’t change, the fine fuel availability can increase rapidly from zero after rain to many tonnes per hectare as the fuel dries out. This can happen over a few hours on hot and windy days. Heavy fuels like logs on the ground take longer to dry out. Battery operated Fuel mincer. Plugs into 12 volt car cigarette lighter socket Adaption using parts from commercial food processor Made at Altona as an alternative design to the commercial Spong Mincer Glass jar to collect sampleforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, forest measurement

Coleman, originally known for making lanterns, made over 30 different models of irons from 1929 to 1948. They generally came in an enamel coloured finish. The best known and most commonly found today is the “Cool Blue” enamel Coleman’s 4A gasoline iron. The Coleman 4A gasoline iron was much lighter than the previous ‘sad irons’ and no longer required to be heated on the stove or by charcoal. Instead, the pump was used to build up pressure in the fuel tank and a match was lit underneath the iron, making a flame inside the iron that would distribute the heat on the surface. Despite these benefits, fuels irons made ironing a potentially dangerous job. They had a very real possibility of causing a fire or exploding. Gas-pressure irons, that had been manufactured as early as 1900, were eventually replaced by electric-powered steam irons, in the 1970s as an affordable and safer alternative.This item is significant because it is an example of domestic appliances used widely throughout the Wodonga District.A self-heating iron which made from metal and enamel plate which included a small tank for fuel which powered the unit. A small wooden pump was used to build up pressure in the iron’s fuel tank. It has a wooden handle.domestic appliances, coleman fuel irons

Ampol Wayne Petrol Bowser - metal, painted red top-half and blue bottom - back and front identical with authentic logos placed below the glass encaseddial showing quantity and cost of fuel dispensed. Above dial is smaller circular bowl showing fuel level. One side showing metal fittings for dispensing fuel and attaching hose and both sides have Ampol logos on lower half. Pump bolted to concrete pad for display.Silver plaque with "WAYNE" below dispensing dial. Decal 'showing "Ampol" logo' on all sides and 'BORON" front and back. Plaque reading 'THIS BOWL MUST BE FULL/BEFORE AND AFTER DELIVERY" on front and back under small bowl. Sticker reading 'THIS FUEL MAY CONTAIN/LEAD AND IS TO BE USED/AS MOTOR FUELD ONLY".ampol, petrol bowsers, service stations