Modeling the spreading of large-scale wildland fires

Abstract

The objective of the present study is twofold. First, the last developments and validation results of a hybrid model designed to simulate fire patterns in heterogeneous landscapes are presented. The model combines the features of a stochastic small-world network model with those of a deterministic semi-physical model of the interaction between burning and non-burning cells that strongly depends on local conditions of wind, topography, and vegetation. Radiation and convection from the flaming zone, and ambient radiative heat loss are considered in the preheating process of unburned cells. The model is applied to an Australian grassland fire experiment. Predictions compare favorably to experiments in terms of rate of spread, area and shape of the burn. Second, the sensitivity of model outcomes (here the rate of spread) to six input parameters is studied using a two-level full factorial design.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the large wildland fires conference; May 19-23, 2014; Missoula, MT

Citation

Drissi, Mohamed. 2015. Modeling the spreading of large-scale wildland fires. In: Keane, Robert E.; Jolly, Matt; Parsons, Russell; Riley, Karin. Proceedings of the large wildland fires conference; May 19-23, 2014; Missoula, MT. Proc. RMRS-P-73. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 278-285.