Parametric study of an eruptive fire behaviour model

Abstract

The application of a mathematical model to predict dynamic fire behaviour with different types of fuels is explored. This model predicts the occurrence of eruptive fire behaviour that is observed mainly in steep slopes and canyons. The practical range of the parameters involved in the model is estimated and their average values for four main fuel types are presented. The predicted differences in dynamic fire behaviour between light and heavy fuels are justified by observations. Given the importance of time as a factor in fire behaviour it is proposed to include it explicitly in the set of factors affecting fire behaviour in a ‘square of fire’ instead of a ‘triangle of fire’.