Data and modeling and graphics source code for "The challenges of an in situ validation of a nonequilibrium model of heat and moisture dynamics during fires"

This archive consists of both the model code (MATLAB) describing soil heating and moisture during soil surface fires and the data and graphics subroutines used to test and evaluate the model's performance. All soil temperature data used in this study are included in this archive as MATLAB .mat files. Soil temperature data during the slash pile burns at Manitou Experimental Forest were measured at the soil surface, and at depths 0.02, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, and 0.50 meters (m) and recorded every 2 minutes. Soil heat flux was measured at 0.02, 0.10, and 0.20 m and recorded every 2 minutes. Soil moisture was measured at 0.05 and 0.15 m and recorded every 30 minutes. All soil temperature data (not the model code) and other soil data during other fires are also available at Robichaud et al. (2018). The soil data during the 2001-2006 experimental burns carried out at Manitou Experimental Forest are also available at Frank and Massman (2007). These soil data were fundamental to the major conclusion of the modeling study: "Despite any possible ambiguities in the calibration of the sensors or the simplicity of the parameterization of the surface heating function, the difficulties and complexities of formulating the upper boundary condition, and the obvious complexities of the dynamic response of the soil's temperature and heat flux, the model produced at least a very credible, if not surprisingly good, simulation of the observed data." The ultimate goal of this study was to provide a tool to better understand the impact of fire on soils, this study outlines the improvements to and the in situ validation of a nonequilibrium model for simulating the coupled interactions and transport of heat, moisture and water vapor during fires.
All data were collected to improve (a) knowledge of the impact of fire on soils and (b) capabilities to measure (in situ) soil temperature, soil moisture and soil heat flux during fires.
These data and model code are directly associated with Massman (2021; https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-685-2021).