![]() ![]() The weather along I-81 is as varied as the terrain. It can be affected by heavy traffic and occasional construction. Overall, I-81 is a safe and well maintained highway. In some places, congestion can also lead to slowdowns due to accidents or road construction. As such, there are often heavy traffic delays, especially in the more congested parts of the interstate. Rumble strips have been added on the shoulders, along with wide, paved shoulders, and median barriers.ĭespite its generally good condition, I-81 is known for its high traffic volume, especially during rush hours. In recent years, I-81 has also seen upgrades in terms of safety features. In addition to regular maintenance, I-81 is often repaved and resurfaced in order to keep it in good condition. The speed limit is generally 70 miles per hour, though some states have lower speed limits on certain sections. The highway boasts a wide, straight road with three lanes in each direction. Generally, the highway is well maintained and in good condition. The road conditions on I-81 vary depending on where you are. It stretches 855 miles from Dandridge, Tennessee, to the Canadian border at the Thousand Islands Bridge. Live fuels can also be expected to burn actively at these levels.Interstate I-81 is a major north-south interstate highway that runs through the eastern United States. Intense, deep burning fires with significant downwind spotting can be expected. KBDI = 600 - 800: Often associated with more severe drought with increased wildfire occurrence. Lower litter and duff layers actively contribute to fire intensity and will burn actively. KBDI = 400 - 600: Typical of late summer, early fall. Lower litter and duff layers are drying and beginning to contribute to fire intensity. KBDI = 200 - 400: Typical of late spring, early growing season. Typical of spring dormant season following winter precipitation. KBDI = 0 - 200: Soil moisture and large class fuel moistures are high and do not contribute much to fire intensity. The computational steps involve reducing the drought index by the net rain amount and increasing the drought index by a drought factor. Reduction in drought occurs only when rainfall exceeds 0.20 inch (called net rainfall). The inputs for KBDI are weather station latitude, mean annual precipitation, maximum dry bulb temperature, and the last 24 hours of rainfall. At any point along the scale, the index number indicates the amount of net rainfall that is required to reduce the index to zero, or saturation. Zero is the point of no moisture deficiency and 800 is the maximum drought that is possible. At 8 inches of water, the KBDI assumes saturation. It is a closed system ranging from 0 to 800 units and represents a moisture regime from 0 to 8 inches of water through the soil layer. The KBDI attempts to measure the amount of precipitation necessary to return the soil to full field capacity. It is a continuous index, relating to the flammability of organic material in the ground. It is a number representing the net effect of evapotranspiration and precipitation in producing cumulative moisture deficiency in deep duff and upper soil layers. Keetch and Byram (1968) designed a drought index specifically for fire potential assessment. ![]()
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