Natural phenomena exhibited by forest fires

Abstract

Forest fire phenomena are presented through a series of motion pictures and 35 mm slides. These films have been taken by the staffs of the Southeastern, Pacific Southwest, and Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Stations of the U. S. Forest Service and by Dr. Vincent J. Schaefer during the course of fire research activities. Both regular speed and time-lapse motion picture photographic techniques are employed. During parts of the presentation two motion picture projectors and two screens are used simultaneously to facilitate comparisons of fire behavior under various fuel and weather conditions. The films illustrate certain behavior features of wild fires as well as small-scale experimental fires in forest fuels.Examination of the natural phenomena of forest fires is related to the International Symposium topic of Fire Models. Analysis of the behavior of large-scale forest fires and smaller scale experimental fires in forest fuels permits critical examination of combustion theory for free-burning fires. Introduction of the atmospheric, topographic, and heterogeneous fuel factors associated with forest fires indicates the complexity of the many variables to be considered in the development of fire scaling theory. Many of the characteristics of forest fires have not yet been measured or analyzed in relation to existing theory. The viewing of forest fire phenomena through the medium of various photographic techniques presents an opportunity to consider some of the courses for future fire research.

Citation

Barrows, J. S. 1961. Natural phenomena exhibited by forest fires. In: Berl, W. G., ed. International Symposium on the Use of Models in Fire Research; Nov. 9-10, 1959; Washington, D.C. Publication 786. Washington, D.C.: National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council. p. 281-288.