Propagation dynamics of a mountain fire: case of the Yarnell Hill Fire 2

Abstract

We propose a novel model for the fire evolution, applicable to its spread in mountains, with low-height fuel. Fire propagates along contours of equal elevation on steep terrains. The wind outside the mountain does not conserve on the inside slopes at fuel height. The local wind depends on micro-climatic environment, influenced additionally by the fire itself.

Effects of Density Current, Diurnal Heating, and Local Terrain on the Mesoscale Environment Conducive to the Yarnell Hill Fire

“…Other studies have examined fire propagation and its complexity [17] and developed a novel model for fire evolution [18]. Neither study examined the thunderstorm outflow.…”

“…Prior research on Yarnell [17][18][19][20][21][22] has shown that the numerical prediction of wind surges remains challenging because of the lack of understanding of fundamental dynamical processes at the complex terrain scale. Improving the understanding of multi-scale atmospheric processes that control the motion and longevity of extreme fire events is vital.…”

Infrared Vision System for Spectral Monitoring of Dynamic Phenomena at 1000 fps: application to combustion

“…We are interested in exploring phenomena in our environment in IR spectral region. Wild fires, and more generally, all combustion processes are examples of natural phenomena that human brain is not capable of capturing and processing due to the rapidity of their evolution [1][2][3]. Figure 1 illustrates several examples of quasi-static combustion processes, indicating different spatial and spectral features.…”