- Author
- Evans, D. D. | Rehm, R. G. | Baker, E. S.
- Title
- Physics-Based Modeling for WUI Fire Spread: Simplified Model Algorithm for Ignition of Structures by Burning Vegetation.
- Coporate
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
- Report
- NISTIR 7179, October 2004, 36 p.
- Keywords
- fire spread | algorithms | ignition | structures | combustion | wildland fires | forestry | experiments
- Identifiers
- wildland fuels and fires; burning characteristics of douglas-fir trees; ignition of structures algorithm for ECOSMART
- Abstract
- A simple physics-based mathematical algorithm is described for estimating the separation etation. distances necessary to prevent radiative ignition of structures by burning vegetation. The algorithm is directed at use in applications such as the USDA Forest Service EcoSmart software suite of tools. The algorithm represents a firphenomena involving both structures and vegetation typical of wildland-urban interface st step in quantifying the fire spread WUI) areas and residential housing communities. Results of initial experiments to characterize the heat release rate (HRR), flame height, and duration of burning for individual Douglas-fir trees are provided. In addition, research required to understand better and quantify wildland-urban and residential community fires are discussed.