Abstract
The use of counter-fires to gain control over wildfires is a technique used by some fire services around the world.
A fire is purposely lighten ahead of the wildfire and the buoyancy induced in-drafts pull it towards the flame front thus creating a fire break of burnt fuel.
Well used, this technique is fast, effective and safe.
However, no technical research has been done on the subject.
Without understanding of the mechanisms, counter-firing remains a difficult technique and can lead to unnecessary risks being taken or opportunities lost.
This paper uses computational fluid dynamics to study the in-draft created around wildfires. A generalized structure of the in-draft velocity profile composed of three zones is observed.
The length of the different zones are analysed to find the dependence with fire intensity and wind velocity.
A fire is purposely lighten ahead of the wildfire and the buoyancy induced in-drafts pull it towards the flame front thus creating a fire break of burnt fuel.
Well used, this technique is fast, effective and safe.
However, no technical research has been done on the subject.
Without understanding of the mechanisms, counter-firing remains a difficult technique and can lead to unnecessary risks being taken or opportunities lost.
This paper uses computational fluid dynamics to study the in-draft created around wildfires. A generalized structure of the in-draft velocity profile composed of three zones is observed.
The length of the different zones are analysed to find the dependence with fire intensity and wind velocity.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 13-22 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Modelling, Monitoring And Management Of Forest Fires |
| Volume | 119 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2008 |
Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)
- entrainment
- fire fighting
- suppression
- back fire
- computer modelling
- CFD
- FDS