Abstract
A field research tool is described which was designed to monitor and record the change n moisture content in in-situ forest fuels. The data is obtained by measuring the energy absorbed from a microwave beam passing through the fuel. The first unit has been operated in the field for two summers on a site near an existing weather monitoring station and also in a research area where prescribed fires were being studied The data obtained by monitoring the upper litter layer show some very rapid moisture changes taking place below the surface of the layer when the weather conditions change. The behavior of the litter layer and other forest fuels in response to changes in weather conditions is critical in any fire situation and the fuel moisture monitor offers a unique way to directly observe fuel moisture in real time. The availability of real-time fuel moisture data could profoundly effect fire suppression and prescribed fire decisions and operations.

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