Foliar moisture content of Pacific Northwest vegetation and its relation to wildland fire behavior.

Fotiar moisture was monitored for five conifers and associated understory vegetation in Pacific Northwest forests. Decline in foliar moisture of new foliage occurred over the dry season, while less variation was evident in older foliage. Late season foliar moisture ranged from 130 to 170%. In riparian-upland comparisons, largest differences were found for understory vegetation, with less variation evident for overstory trees. Minimum foliar moisture values of 100-120% are appropriate to use in crown fire risk assessment for the Pacific Northwest.