Large scale fire whirls: Can their formation be predicted?

Jason M. Forthofer; Bret W. Butler

Treesearch

Large scale fire whirls: Can their formation be predicted?

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Jason M. Forthofer, Bret W. Butler

Year:

2010

Type:

Miscellaneous Publication

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

Source:

In: Wade, Dale D.; Robinson, Mikel L., eds. Proceedings of 3rd Fire Behavior and Fuels Conference; 25-29 October 2010; Spokane, WA. Birmingham, AL: International Association of Wildland Fire. 7 p.

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Abstract

Large scale fire whirls have not traditionally been recognized as a frequent phenomenon on wildland fires. However, there are anecdotal data suggesting that they can and do occur with some regularity. This paper presents a brief summary of this information and an analysis of the causal factors leading to their formation.

Keywords

fire behavior, fire intensity

Citation

Forthofer, J.; Butler, B. 2010. Large scale fire whirls: Can their formation be predicted? In: Wade, Dale D.; Robinson, Mikel L., eds. Proceedings of 3rd Fire Behavior and Fuels Conference; 25-29 October 2010; Spokane, WA. Birmingham, AL: International Association of Wildland Fire. 7 p.