An extensive set of experiments was carried out in order to collect data to validate fire propagation models being developed in the context of an European research project. The experiments were performed in a dedicated burning tray (2.0 m × 0.70 m working section), where wind velocity, fuel moisture content and slope were varied to study fire propagation in beds of Pinus pinaster needles.All the runs were videotaped and, from the recordings, information on flame geometry (i.e. flame height, flame length and flame angle) and rate of spread was obtained. Temperature measurements were also carried out by a small tower of six thermocouples at different heights above the fuel bed.Results show that headfire rate of spread increases steeply with wind speed for wind-driven fires but does not depend on wind speed for backing fire spread rates. Rate of spread increases slightly with slope for up-hill propagation, and is not slope dependent for down-hill cases. Rate of spread decreases when fuel moisture content increases. Flame angle and flame height are also dependent on wind velocity, slope, and fuel moisture content. The importance of temperature for fire propagation is discussed, emphasizing the role of radiation heat transfer in the process. Correlations between temperature and other indicators of fire behaviour (namely the rate of spread) are presented. Results are discussed and compared.The results obtained provide a good database for the assessment of fire propagation models.
In a previous work (Santoni et al.,
Int. J. Wildland Fire, 2000, 9(4), 285–292), we
proposed a twodimensional fire spread model including slope effects as another
step towards our aim to elaborate a fire management tool. In the present
study, we improve the model to include both wind conditions and wind combined
with slope conditions. For this purpose the effect of wind and slope are
considered similar, in the sense that they both force the flames to lean
forward. However, this analogy remains acceptable only when flame tilt is
below a threshold value. Simulation results are compared to experimental data
under wind and no-slope conditions. The proposed model is able to describe the
fire behaviour. Predictions of the model for wind and slope conditions are
then considered and comparisons with observations are also provided.
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