Wildfire Rates of Spread in Grasslands under Critical Burning Conditions
An analysis of a dataset (<i>n</i> = 58) of high-intensity wildfire observations in cured grasslands from southern Australia revealed a simple relationship suitable for quickly obtaining a first approximation of a fire’s spread rate under low dead fuel moisture contents and strong wind s...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-04-01
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| Series: | Fire |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6255/5/2/55 |
| _version_ | 1827628875027316736 |
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| author | Miguel G. Cruz Martin E. Alexander Musa Kilinc |
| author_facet | Miguel G. Cruz Martin E. Alexander Musa Kilinc |
| author_sort | Miguel G. Cruz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | An analysis of a dataset (<i>n</i> = 58) of high-intensity wildfire observations in cured grasslands from southern Australia revealed a simple relationship suitable for quickly obtaining a first approximation of a fire’s spread rate under low dead fuel moisture contents and strong wind speeds. It was found that the forward rate of fire spread is approximately 20% of the average 10-m open wind speed. The data on rate of fire spread and 10 m open wind speed ranged from 1.6 to 17 and 20 to 62 km h<sup>−1</sup>, respectively. The validity of the resulting rule of thumb was examined across a spectrum of burning conditions and its performance was contrasted against that of established empirical-based fire spread models for three different grassland fuel conditions currently used operationally in Australia. The 20% rule of thumb for grassfires produced error statistics comparable to that of the fire spread rate model for grazed or cut grass fuel conditions as recommended for general use during the summer fire season in southern Australia. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T13:41:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ea9f5b97427e4c55864cde714bf3b7bb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2571-6255 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T13:41:50Z |
| publishDate | 2022-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Fire |
| spelling | doaj.art-ea9f5b97427e4c55864cde714bf3b7bb2023-11-30T21:06:41ZengMDPI AGFire2571-62552022-04-01525510.3390/fire5020055Wildfire Rates of Spread in Grasslands under Critical Burning ConditionsMiguel G. Cruz0Martin E. Alexander1Musa Kilinc2CSIRO, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, ACT 2601, AustraliaWild Rose Fire Behaviour, 180–50434 Range Road 232, Leduc County, AB T4X 0L1, CanadaCountry Fire Authority, P.O. Box 701, Mt Waverley, VIC 3149, AustraliaAn analysis of a dataset (<i>n</i> = 58) of high-intensity wildfire observations in cured grasslands from southern Australia revealed a simple relationship suitable for quickly obtaining a first approximation of a fire’s spread rate under low dead fuel moisture contents and strong wind speeds. It was found that the forward rate of fire spread is approximately 20% of the average 10-m open wind speed. The data on rate of fire spread and 10 m open wind speed ranged from 1.6 to 17 and 20 to 62 km h<sup>−1</sup>, respectively. The validity of the resulting rule of thumb was examined across a spectrum of burning conditions and its performance was contrasted against that of established empirical-based fire spread models for three different grassland fuel conditions currently used operationally in Australia. The 20% rule of thumb for grassfires produced error statistics comparable to that of the fire spread rate model for grazed or cut grass fuel conditions as recommended for general use during the summer fire season in southern Australia.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6255/5/2/55fine dead fuel moisture contentfire behaviourfire dangerfire predictionfire propagationfire safety |
| spellingShingle | Miguel G. Cruz Martin E. Alexander Musa Kilinc Wildfire Rates of Spread in Grasslands under Critical Burning Conditions Fire fine dead fuel moisture content fire behaviour fire danger fire prediction fire propagation fire safety |
| title | Wildfire Rates of Spread in Grasslands under Critical Burning Conditions |
| title_full | Wildfire Rates of Spread in Grasslands under Critical Burning Conditions |
| title_fullStr | Wildfire Rates of Spread in Grasslands under Critical Burning Conditions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Wildfire Rates of Spread in Grasslands under Critical Burning Conditions |
| title_short | Wildfire Rates of Spread in Grasslands under Critical Burning Conditions |
| title_sort | wildfire rates of spread in grasslands under critical burning conditions |
| topic | fine dead fuel moisture content fire behaviour fire danger fire prediction fire propagation fire safety |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6255/5/2/55 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT miguelgcruz wildfireratesofspreadingrasslandsundercriticalburningconditions AT martinealexander wildfireratesofspreadingrasslandsundercriticalburningconditions AT musakilinc wildfireratesofspreadingrasslandsundercriticalburningconditions |