- Author
- Clark, T. L.
- Title
- Wildfire Research at NCAR. BFRL Fire Research Seminar. VHS Video.
- Coporate
- National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO
- Report
- Video, January 25, 2001,
- Keywords
- wildland fires | fire models | fire behavior
- Abstract
- A relatively recent development in wildfire research is applying mesoscale models to coupled fire-atmosphere simulations of wildfires. One of the main goals of this type of research is to develop models that can be applied in either real-time or in the post-analysis mode. Currently fire managers use empirical spread models, such as Farsite, that do not directly consider the feedbacks of fire induced winds, the complexities associated with terrain induced winds or (in some cases) the changing larger scale weather conditions. Results from some of our coupled fire-atmosphere simulations will be described. Another aspect of wildfire research at NCAR is the application of video image analyses which we use to observe wildfire behavior. Infrared observations of the combustion zone winds for intense fires will be shown along with image flow analysis demonstrating some of the dynamics of the combustion zone affecting fire propagation. These types of observations can also be used for model validation.