Influence of slope on fire spread rate

B.W. Butler; W.R. Anderson; E.A. Catchpole

Treesearch

Influence of slope on fire spread rate

Informally Refereed

Authors:

B.W. Butler, W.R. Anderson, E.A. Catchpole

Year:

2007

Type:

Proceedings

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

Source:

In: Butler, Bret W.; Cook, Wayne, comps. The fire environment--innovations, management, and policy; conference proceedings. 26-30 March 2007; Destin, FL. Proceedings RMRS-P-46CD. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. CD-ROM. p. 75-82

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Abstract

Data demonstrate the effect of slope on heading and backing fires burning through woody fuels. The data indicate that the upper limit of heading fire rate of spread is defined by the rate of spread up a vertical fuel array, and the lower limit is defined by the rate of spread of a backing fire burning downslope. The minimum spread rate is found to occur at nominally --16 degrees slope.

Parent Publication

The fire environment--innovations, management, and policy; conference proceedings

Keywords

wildland fire management, slope, fire spread rate

Citation

Butler, B.W.; Anderson, W.R.; Catchpole, E.A. 2007. Influence of slope on fire spread rate. In: Butler, Bret W.; Cook, Wayne, comps. The fire environment--innovations, management, and policy; conference proceedings. 26-30 March 2007; Destin, FL. Proceedings RMRS-P-46CD. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. CD-ROM. p. 75-82