Effect of moisture content and heat flux type on ignition of foliage from 10 live fuels was examined over the course of a year using two apparatuses: a flat-flame burner coupled with a radiant panel and a Forced Ignition and flame Spread Test (FIST) apparatus. Results of the experiments were compared to predictions made with the GPyro/FDS coupled models. A radiant heat flux of 50 kW/m2 was not sufficient to cause spontaneous ignition of the live samples. A pilot ignition or additional convective heating was needed for successful ignition. The dead fuel ignition model using fuel moisture did not work well in these fuels. Detailed 3D modeling of a live fuel particle showed that the fuel contained significant water at ignition which agreed with experimental data. Live fuel particles such as leaves and needles cannot be viewed as thermally-thin fuels.