Charts for interpreting wildland fire behavior characteristics

Patricia L. Andrews; Richard C. Rothermel

doi:10.2737/INT-GTR-131

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Charts for interpreting wildland fire behavior characteristics

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Patricia L. Andrews, Richard C. Rothermel

Year:

1982

Type:

General Technical Report

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/INT-GTR-131

Source:

Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-GTR-131. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 21 p.

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Abstract

The fire characteristics chart is proposed as a graphical method ofpresenting two primary characteristics of fire behavior – spread rate and intensity. Its primary use is communicating and interpreting either site-specific predictions of fire behavior or National Fire-Danger Rating System (NFDRS) indexes and components. Rate of spread, heat per unit area, flame length, and fireline intensity, are plotted on a fire behavior chart. Spread component, energy release component, and burning index are plotted on an NFDRS chart. Specific examples illustrate potential application.

Keywords

fire behavior, fire spread, fire intensity, fire-danger rating, NationalFire-Danger Rating System

Citation

Andrews, Patricia L.; Rothermel, Richard C. 1982. Charts for interpreting wildland fire behavior characteristics. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-GTR-131. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 21 p.