WILDFIRE: LATEST LEARNINGS- v01.6

WILDFIRE: LATEST LEARNINGS

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General learning outcome:

SPECIFIC FIRE BEHAVIOUR:

Specific learning outcome:

Ember storms are different to ember attack, and are associated with unusual combustion processes.

Topic:

The formation, behaviour and consequences of an ember storm.

Expert Awareness for Fire Behaviour Analysts


Research is still underway into ember storms. However we do know something of operational use:
  • They are associated with deep flaming, but not headfires.
  • They can be detected in multispectral linescanning imagery.
  • They typically cover around 2 to 10 square kilometres, and move with the convective event across the landscape, at up to 35 km/hr.
  • However within the storm wind speeds may reach much higher values.
  • Primary embers come into the urban area from adjacent broadacre landuses. Secondary embers are created by mulch beds, gardens, etc in the urban area. Tertiary embers are produced by burning houses.
  • In the absence of a wind change, the winds coming from burnt ground for the next six hours foster ember creation. New house ignitions are possible throughout this phase.
If an ember storms occurs, Situation Unit analysts need to review the potential timing with Operations Section staff.
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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.