Present:

Action points of the meeting

1. Participant discussions

Participants reported satisfactory progress over the last six months through informative presentations and discussions. It was felt that Participant 08 should concentrate on the long-term loading experiment particularly since the information produced will integrate well with other Tasks. In addition, Participant 08 agreed to make their tree pulling data available to the other participants.

Action 1: J Mc Hale to set up the long term loading experiment as a priority

Several points were also noted during the discussions on the snow work. It was agreed that S Kellomäki will provide the specifications of the temperature data needed to run the weather simulator for Sweden and Britain.

Action 2: S Kellomäki to provide information for E Valinger, M Broadgate and C Quine

It was noted that IP appropriate data exists so Sweden and Britain will provide the appropriate data to S Kellomäki.

Action 3: E Valinger and C Quine to pass the data to S Kellomäki

It was also suggested that predictions from the weather simulator should be compared with the actual data. The possibility of using West-East transects of snow and wind data from example sites in Britain, Sweden and Finland was discussed. In addition the availability of airflow models required for fire spread modelling was discussed.

Action 4: C Quine E Valinger and H Petola to explore the possibilities

Action 5: CNIG to inform NRS what airflow models they require for fire spread modelling

2. Project integration

After some discussion it was decided to simplify the "decision tree" currently being developed under Task 6 to guide users to the appropriate models. It was agreed that the split between "risk" and "hazard" was not needed as a main determinant. It was also decided that details of the sources of data and other information needed to run and interpret the models could be added later once the main structure was established. It was agreed that a WWW system for the demonstrator should be adopted.

Action 6: M Broadgate to revise structure of the decision tree

Action 7: NRS to provide model output data for the Cwm Berwyn test area to M Broadgate by January 1997

Action 8: E Valinger to provide additional information on his model structure to M Broadgate by January 1997

It was agreed that silvicultural advice would be given to M Broadgate by January 1997 for incorporation into the demonstrator.

Action 9: CNIG to provide silvicultural advice on fire

Action 10: M Broadgate to provide silvicultural advice on snow

Action 11: AU to provide silvicultural advice on wind

B Gardiner suggested that models should not be used in geographic locations where they had not been tested. It was agreed that users of the demonstrator should be informed where models do not exist for specified geographic locations.

3. 24-month report

The timetable for this report was agreed as follows:

• Participants to send their reports to Task leaders by 1 December 1996
• Participants to send their reports to the Coordinator at the same time
• Task leaders to send the consolidated reports to the Coordinator by 14 December 1996
• any published articles and drafts should be sent to the Coordinator at this time
• original copies of cost statements to be sent to the Coordinator no later than 15 January 1997

  Action 12: All groups to follow the above timetable

  Action 13: Task leaders to remind other Participants of required reports so that deadlines are maintained

  4. Project book

  The Participants recommended that writing up the project as book should be deferred until after the 1998 IUFRO Conference. It was suggested that the work may be more effectively presented as part of a conference book. The Coordinator agreed to discuss this option with Alexandros Arabatzis. Action : S Kellomäki to discuss matter with Alexandros Arabatzis. Action 14: S Kellomäki to discuss project book with Alexandros Arabatzis

  5. Joensuu Conference 1998

  Considerable discussion took place as to the structure of the Conference. While introducing fire as a main subject along with wind and snow may further demonstrate the integrated approach of the STORMS group, this approach may dilute the effectiveness of the conference as fire research is a large area in its own right. Participants suggested that the Joensuu Conference should concentrate on wind and snow, and that the linked subjects of fire and wind should be directed through the existing series of fire meetings. In addition, the idea of "STORMS" dissemination workshops targeted at senior forest managers was suggested. The recommended structure of the meetings is suggested as follows:

  WIND AND SNOW

• scientific conference in Joensuu, August 1998
• targeted workshop, August 1998

  Action 15: Existing IUFRO planning group to organize conference

  FIRE AND WIND

• link with existing series, November 1998 and EARSEL
• targeted workshop, November 1998

  Action 16: CNIG to form link with organizing committee of conference

  Action 17: S Kellomäki to explore the idea with Brussels and, if feasible, that a separate planning group should form

  6. Additional money for existing project

  Five areas for potential additional funding were identified:

• knots and wood properties (Aberdeen)
• snow modeling (Umeå
• workshops (Joensuu and NRS)
• WWW and CD modeling (MLURI and CNIG)
• model integration (CNIG)

  Action 18: Each group to write 1 page with costs and return to S Kellomäki by 1 December 1996. S Kellomäki will discuss these proposals with Alexandros Arabatzis

  7. 5th call for the 4th framework

  Some ideas for another project funded under the 5th call were discussed. S Kellomäki provisionally agreed to act as coordinator.

  Action 19: MLURI and NRS to prepare a summary of the ideas raised that will form the basis of a discussion document

  8. Date of the next meeting

  Provisional dates for the next meeting are Tuesday 29 April to Sunday 4 May 1997

  Umea Meeting Information Pages