WILDFIRE: LATEST LEARNINGS- v01.6

WILDFIRE: LATEST LEARNINGS

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General learning outcome:

GENERAL FIRE CONCEPTS:

Specific learning outcome:

The interaction of wind & terrain is a fundamental concept for understanding fire behaviour.

Topic:

That while wind and slope are both critical drivers of a fire's spread, they are not independent.

Expert Awareness for Advanced Firefighters & Fire Behaviour Analysts


When taken on their own, it is straightforward to estimate the effects of slope or wind on fire behaviour. When wind and terrain interact the results may be difficult to predict. There are two elements to this:
  • Firstly, both wind and slope seek to push a fire in certain directions, and their combined effect may be mathematically challenging.
  • Secondly, wind is affected by slope, and care must be taken to correctly weight these into the resultant fire spread prediction.
These calculations are best done in a pre-tested computer system which needs to be validated.
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This website is dedicated to bringing forward the latest research findings. They are provided to allow firefighters to be made aware of critical safety issues ahead of the material being included in the national training curriculum.
Material prepared by Rick McRae for AFAC Research Dissemination Pilot Study, March 2012.