Safe use of wood for modern structural applications requires a precise definition of the in-depth evolution of temperatures and degradation rates (mass loss rates). A series of experiments have been carried out with the main aim of developing a dependable procedure to obtain well characterized temperature distributions and mass loss rates in wood specimens subjected to radiant energy within magnitudes typical of fires. The measurements have been then compared against the results of a simplified numerical model of the pyrolysis process. The results show a good agreement between the model and the experiments for the initial heating stages. However, the agreement becomes poorer at longer exposure times and increased depths from the exposed surface.