Fundamental Wildland Fire Spread Research
Current operational fire behavior models are empirically based on fire spread through surface fuels and do not describe heating and combustion processes. Current physical models describe fire spread processes; however, the fire spread processes of heat exchange and ignition are assumed without an experimental basis.
Convection heat transfer requires flames to contact adjacent fuels. Discontinuous fuels (e.g. shrub and tree canopies) require flames to extend across gaps between fuel clusters. The vertical flame wall with its high sample rate heat flux sensors (shown) and thermocouples are used to describe flame turbulence and thus the flame position and duration. Diffusion flames are produced using buoyantly neutral ethylene fuel gas.
FFS researchers and collaborators have developed a program of research for understanding how fire spread occurs with a focus on live fuels and active crown fire. Specific fire dynamics research investigations include:
- Fuel particle heat exchange
- Live vegetation thermal decomposition processes
- Non-steady flame structure
- Flame source burning duration
Principal Investigators:
Mark Finney
Sara McAllister
Torben Grumstrup
Funding Contributors: Joint Fire Science Program, National Fire Decision Support Center, US Forest Service
Project Years: 2011-present
Multimedia
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Videohttps://research.fs.usda.gov/firelab/products/multimedia/videos/buoyant-dynamics-observed
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Videohttps://research.fs.usda.gov/firelab/products/multimedia/videos/camp-swift-grass-burn
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Videohttps://research.fs.usda.gov/firelab/products/multimedia/videos/cardboard-burn-1-upwind-wide-view-flame-spreading-toward-camera
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Videohttps://research.fs.usda.gov/firelab/products/multimedia/videos/cardboard-burn-2-upwind-wide-view-flame-spreading-toward-camera
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Videohttps://research.fs.usda.gov/firelab/products/multimedia/videos/cardboard-burn-53-upwind-view-flames-spreading-toward-camera
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Videohttps://research.fs.usda.gov/firelab/products/multimedia/videos/coherent-flame-structure
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Videohttps://research.fs.usda.gov/firelab/products/multimedia/videos/flow-tracking
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Videohttps://research.fs.usda.gov/firelab/products/multimedia/videos/heated-plate-experiments
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Videohttps://research.fs.usda.gov/firelab/products/multimedia/videos/stationary-ethylene-gas-burner
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Videohttps://research.fs.usda.gov/firelab/products/multimedia/videos/vorticity-patterns-visualized
Key Personnel
Principal Investigator
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Person
Mark A. Finney, PhD
Research Foresterhttps://research.fs.usda.gov/about/people/mark.finney -
Person
Sara S. McAllister, PhD
Research Mechanical Engineerhttps://research.fs.usda.gov/about/people/sara.mcallister -
Person
Torben Grumstrup, PhD
Research Mechanical Engineerhttps://research.fs.usda.gov/about/people/torben.p.grumstrup
Research Staff
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Person
Cyle E. Wold
Physical Scientisthttps://research.fs.usda.gov/about/people/cyle.wold -
Person
Dan M. Jimenez
Research Mechanical Engineerhttps://research.fs.usda.gov/about/people/dan.jimenez -
Person
Isaac C. Grenfell
Mathematical Statisticianhttps://research.fs.usda.gov/about/people/isaac.c.grenfell -
Person
Jason M. Forthofer
Research Mechanical Engineerhttps://research.fs.usda.gov/about/people/jason.forthofer -
Person
Jim J. Reardon
Forester/Ecologisthttps://research.fs.usda.gov/about/people/jim.reardon -
Person
W. Matt Jolly, PhD
Research Ecologisthttps://research.fs.usda.gov/about/people/william.jolly -
Person
Paul A. Sopko
Physical Scientisthttps://research.fs.usda.gov/about/people/paul.sopko
Collaborators
Funding Contributor(s):
- Joint Fire Science Program
- National Fire Decision Support Center
- US Forest Service
Projects
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Project
https://research.fs.usda.gov/firelab/projects/heatexchange -
Project
https://research.fs.usda.gov/firelab/projects/flamestructure -
Project
https://research.fs.usda.gov/firelab/projects/burningrate