Studying wildfire behavior using FIRETEC

Linn, Rodman R.; Reisner, Jon; Colman, Jonah J.; Winterkamp, Judith

doi:10.1071/wf02007

Cited by 370 publications

(265 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…These studies are primarily experimental in nature [2][3][4][5][6][7][8], and no comprehensive theoretical studies have yet been conducted to analyze the problem or develop generalized predictive tools. Consequently, previous models of wildland fire propagation [9][10][11] have limited capabilities to predict the initiation of spot fires.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ignition of Combustible Fuel Beds by Hot Particles: An Experimental and Theoretical Study

et al. 2010

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Abstract. The process of spotting occurs in wildland fires when fire-lofted embers or hot particles land downwind, leading to ignition of new, discrete fires. This common mechanism of wildland fire propagation can result in rapid spread of the fire, potentially causing property damage and increased risk to life safety of both fire fighters and civilians. Despite the increasing frequency and losses in wildland fires, there has been relatively little research on ignition of fuel beds by embers and hot particles. In this work, an experimental and theoretical study of ignition of homogeneous cellulose fuel beds by hot metal particles is undertaken. This type of well-characterized laboratory fuel provides a more controllable fuel bed than natural fuels, and the use of hot metal particles simplifies interpretation of the experiments by reducing uncertainty due to unknown effects of the ember combustion reaction. Spherical steel particles with diameters in the range from 0.8 mm to 19.1 mm heated to temperatures between 500°C and 1300°C are used in the experiments. A relationship between the size of the particle and temperature required for flaming or smoldering ignition is found. These results are used to assess a simplified analysis based on hot-spot ignition theory to determine the particle size-temperature relationship required for ignition of a cellulose fuel bed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ignition of Combustible Fuel Beds by Hot Particles: An Experimental and Theoretical Study

et al. 2010

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“…Recently, Dupuy and Morvan [30] provided a multiphase physical model of fire behavior and run two-dimensional numerical simulations of crown fire propagation in pine stands. Also, Linn et al [49,50] presented FIRETEC, a three dimensional coupled atmospheric/wildfire behavior model based on transport equations. These two models are presently often used to simulate wildfire behavior.…”

Section: Crown Fire Spreadmentioning

confidence: 99%

Canopy fuel characteristics and potential crown fire behavior in Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) forests

Mitsopoulos

Dimitrakopoulos

2007

Ann. For. Sci.

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-Canopy fuel characteristics that influence the initiation and spread of crown fires were measured in representative Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) stands in Greece. Vertical distribution profiles of canopy fuel load, canopy base height and canopy bulk density are presented. Aleppo pine canopy fuels are characterized by low canopy base height (3.0−6.5 m), while available canopy fuel load (0.96−1.80 kg/m 2 ) and canopy bulk density (0.09−0.22 kg/m 3 ) values are similar to other conifers worldwide. Crown fire behavior (probability of crown fire initiation, crown fire type, rate of spread, fireline intensity and flame length) in Aleppo pine stands with various understory fuel types was simulated with the most updated crown fire models. The probability of crown fire initiation was high even under moderate burning conditions, mainly due to the low canopy base height and the heavy surface fuel load. Passive crown fires resulted mostly in uneven aged stands, while even aged stands gave high intensity active crown fires. Assessment of canopy fuel characteristics and potential crown fire behavior can be useful in fuel management and fire suppression planning.canopy fuels / crown fires / fire behavior / Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) / Mediterranean Basin Résumé -Caractéristiques des combustibles de la canopée et comportement du potentiel de feu des couronnes de forêts de Pin d'Alep (Pinus halepensis Mill.). Les caractéristiques des combustibles qui influencent le démarrage et la propagation des feux de couronnes ont été mesurées dans des peuplements représentatifs de Pinus halepensis Mill. en Grèce. Des profils verticaux de la charge en combustible de la canopée, la hauteur de la base de la canopée et la densité volumique de la canopée sont présentés. La charge combustible de la canopée est caractérisée par une faible hauteur de la base de la canopée (3,0−6,5 m), tandis que la charge en combustible disponible (0,96−1,80 kg/m 2 ) et la densité volumique de la canopée (0,09−0,22 kg/m 3 ) sont similaires à celles des autres conifères dans le monde. Le comportement du feu de couronne (probabilité de démarrage du feu dans les couronnes, type de feu de couronne, taux de propagation, intensité de la ligne de feu et longueur des flammes) dans les peuplements de Pinus halepensis avec différents types de combustibles de sous-bois a été simulé avec le maximum de modèles actuels de feux de couronnes. La probabilité de démarrage de feu de couronne était forte même en conditions de faible embrasement, principalement en relation avec la faible hauteur de la base des couronnes et la forte charge en combustible au sol. Des feux passifs de couronnes se produisent principalement dans les peuplements inéquiennes tandis que les peuplements équiennes ont présenté de fortes intensités de feux actifs de couronnes. L'évaluation des caractéristiques des combustibles de la canopée et le comportement du potentiel de feu peuvent être très utiles pour la gestion des combustibles et la planification de la lutte contre les feux. c...

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“…Full-physics models [in the sense of Goodrick et al, 2013] invoke computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to model processes involved in plume development explicitly [Linn et al, 2002;Mell et al, 2007]. CFD-based models are currently impractical for simulations over the regional domains we are considering here, and have yet to incorporate chemistry, but they do show promise for some local applications [Valente et al, 2007].…”

Section: Predicting Smokementioning

confidence: 99%

Smoke consequences of new wildfire regimes driven by climate change

et al. 2014

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Smoke from wildfires has adverse biological and social consequences, and various lines of evidence suggest that smoke from wildfires in the future may be more intense and widespread, demanding that methods be developed to address its effects on people, ecosystems, and the atmosphere. In this paper, we present the essential ingredients of a modeling system for projecting smoke consequences in a rapidly warming climate that is expected to change wildfire regimes significantly. We describe each component of the system, offer suggestions for the elements of a modeling agenda, and provide some general guidelines for making choices among potential components. We address a prospective audience of researchers whom we expect to be fluent already in building some or many of these components, so we neither prescribe nor advocate particular models or software. Instead, our intent is to highlight fruitful ways of thinking about the task as a whole and its components, while providing substantial, if not exhaustive, documentation from the primary literature as reference. This paper provides a guide to the complexities of smoke modeling under climate change, and a research agenda for developing a modeling system that is equal to the task while being feasible with current resources.

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Studying wildfire behavior using FIRETEC

Cited by 370 publications

References 14 publications

Ignition of Combustible Fuel Beds by Hot Particles: An Experimental and Theoretical Study

Ignition of Combustible Fuel Beds by Hot Particles: An Experimental and Theoretical Study

Canopy fuel characteristics and potential crown fire behavior in Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) forests

Smoke consequences of new wildfire regimes driven by climate change

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