HIGHFIRE RISK PROJECT

A CLASSIFICATION OF VIOLENT PYRO-CONVECTION

PREAMBLE

This is a description of a particular type of Violent Pyro-Convection. A full methodology for their classification, and a listing all of the types can be found here.

Type S1. Smoke shield

If the profile is very stable, with an intense convective cap (over 10°C), there is likely to be no pyrocloud. This is because the plume cannot pass the cap, and spreads out sideways as it advects away from the fire. There can be some immediate gravity-driven downwash of large aerosol and perhaps firebrands in the immediate lee of the main plume.




INDEX TO TYPES

Type S1: Smoke shield
Type S2: Smoke shield with rebound
Type S3: Smoke shield with towering pyroCb
Type U1: Sub_UTLS event
Type U2: PyroCb
Type U3: Pyro-puff (towering pyroCu)
Type U4: Fire enhanced ambient Cb event
Non-VPC fire