Fuel beds of ponderosa pine needles and white pine needles were burned under controlled environmental conditions to determine the effects of fuel moisture and windspeed upon the rate of fire spread. Empirical formulas are presented to show the effect of these parameters. A discussion of rate of spread and some simple experiments show how fuel may be preheated before the fire reaches the fuel. The interrelationship between unit energy release rate and rate of spread produces a fire characteristics curve. Diffusion flame analysis shows good agreement when working with 1/2-inch stick fires.