Laboratory fire spread analysis using visual and infrared images

2006 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 179 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Ramiro Martínez-de Dios ◽  
Jorge C. André ◽  
João C. Gonçalves ◽  
Begoña Ch. Arrue ◽  
Aníbal Ollero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Graphical Model ◽  
Fire Spread ◽  
Rate Of Spread ◽  
Virtual View ◽  
Fire Front ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Front Shape ◽  
Processing Techniques ◽  
Spread Analysis ◽  
Base Width

This paper presents an experimental method using computer-based image processing techniques of visual and infrared movies of a propagating fire front, taken from one or more cameras, to supply the time evolutions of the fire front shape and position, flame inclination angle, height, and base width. As secondary outputs, it also provides the fire front rate of spread and a 3D graphical model of the fire front that can be rendered from any virtual view. The method is automatic and non-intrusive, has space–time resolution close to continuum and can be run in real-time or deferred modes. It is demonstrated in simple laboratory experiments in beds of pine needles set upon an inclinable burn table, with point and linear ignitions, but can be extended to open field situations.

Fine-Scale Fire Spread in Pine Straw

Fire ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 69
Author(s):  
Daryn Sagel ◽  
Kevin Speer ◽  
Scott Pokswinski ◽  
Bryan Quaife
Keyword(s):  
Fire Spread ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Natural Setting ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Prescribed Burn ◽  
Fire Dynamics ◽  
Rate Of Spread ◽  
Scale Models ◽  
Fire Front ◽  
Visible Images

Most wildland and prescribed fire spread occurs through ground fuels, and the rate of spread (RoS) in such environments is often summarized with empirical models that assume uniform environmental conditions and produce a unique RoS. On the other hand, representing the effects of local, small-scale variations of fuel and wind experienced in the field is challenging and, for landscape-scale models, impractical. Moreover, the level of uncertainty associated with characterizing RoS and flame dynamics in the presence of turbulent flow demonstrates the need for further understanding of fire dynamics at small scales in realistic settings. This work describes adapted computer vision techniques used to form fine-scale measurements of the spatially and temporally varying RoS in a natural setting. These algorithms are applied to infrared and visible images of a small-scale prescribed burn of a quasi-homogeneous pine needle bed under stationary wind conditions. A large number of distinct fire front displacements are then used statistically to analyze the fire spread. We find that the fine-scale forward RoS is characterized by an exponential distribution, suggesting a model for fire spread as a random process at this scale.

scholarly journals Georeferencing Oblique Aerial Wildfire Photographs: An Untapped Source of Fire Behaviour Data

Fire ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 81
Author(s):  
Henry Hart ◽  
Daniel D. B. Perrakis ◽  
Stephen W. Taylor ◽  
Christopher Bone ◽  
Claudio Bozzini
Keyword(s):  
Fire Behavior ◽  
Fire Spread ◽  
Behavior Prediction ◽  
Empirical Relationships ◽  
Rate Of Spread ◽  
Front Position ◽  
Fire Front ◽  
Initial Work ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Behaviour Data

In this study, we investigate a novel application of the photogrammetric monoplotting technique for assessing wildfires. We demonstrate the use of the software program WSL Monoplotting Tool (MPT) to georeference operational oblique aerial wildfire photographs taken during airtanker response in the early stages of fire growth. We located the position of the fire front in georeferenced pairs of photos from five fires taken 31–118 min apart, and calculated the head fire spread distance and head fire rate of spread (HROS). Our example photos were taken 0.7 to 4.7 km from fire fronts, with camera angles of incidence from −19 to −50° to image centre. Using high quality images with detailed landscape features, it is possible to identify fire front positions with high precision; in our example data, the mean 3D error was 0.533 m and the maximum 3D error for individual fire runs was less than 3 m. This resulted in a maximum HROS error due to monoplotting of only ~0.5%. We then compared HROS estimates with predictions from the Canadian Fire Behavior Prediction System, with differences mainly attributed to model error or uncertainty in weather and fuel inputs. This method can be used to obtain observations to validate fire spread models or create new empirical relationships where databases of such wildfire photos exist. Our initial work suggests that monophotogrammetry can provide reproducible estimates of fire front position, spread distance and rate of spread with high accuracy, and could potentially be used to characterize other fire features such as flame and smoke plume dimensions and spotting.

Analysis of the physical processes associated with junction fires at laboratory and field scales

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 52 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Raposo ◽  
D. X. Viegas ◽  
X. Xie ◽  
M. Almeida ◽  
A. R. Figueiredo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Conditions ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Symmetry Plane ◽  
Initial Boundary ◽  
Fire Spread ◽  
Intersection Point ◽  
Deceleration Phase ◽  
Rate Of Spread ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Fire Front

Junction fires, which involve the merging of two linear fire fronts intersecting at a small angle, are associated with very intense fire behaviour. The dynamic displacement of the intersection point of the two lines and the flow along the symmetry plane of the fire are analysed for symmetric boundary conditions. It is observed that the velocity of displacement of this point increases very rapidly owing to strong convective effects created by the fire that are similar to those of an eruptive fire. The change of fire geometry and of its associated flow gradually blocks the rate of spread increase and creates a strong deceleration of the fire, which ends up behaving like a linear fire front. Results from laboratory and field-scale experiments, using various fuel beds and slope angles and from a large-scale fire show that the processes are similar at a wide range of scales with little dependence on the initial boundary conditions. Numerical simulation of the heat flux from two flame surfaces to an element of the fuel bed show that radiation can be considered as the main mechanism of fire spread only during the deceleration phase of the fire.

Testing the Effect of Fuel Consumption on Fire Spread Rate

1995 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 143 ◽  
Author(s):  
RS McAlpine
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Consumption ◽  
Fire Behavior ◽  
Fire Spread ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Behavior Prediction ◽  
Spread Rate ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Weak Relationship ◽  
Rate Of Spread ◽  
Fire Front

It has been theorized that the amount of fuel involved in a fire front can influence the rate of spread of the fire. Three data sets are examined in an attempt to prove this relationship. The first, a Canadian Forest Service database of over 400 experimental, wild, and prescribed fires showed a weak relationship in some fuel complexes. The second, a series of field experimental fires conducted to isolate the relationship, showed a small effect. The final data set, from a series of 47 small plots (3m x 3m) burned with a variety of fuel loadings, also show a weak relationship. While a relationship was shown to exist, it is debatable whether it should be included in a fire behavior prediction system. Inherent errors associated with predicting fuel consumption can be compounded, causing additional, more critical, errors with the derived fire spread rate.

scholarly journals Resolving vorticity-driven lateral fire spread using the WRF-Fire coupled atmosphere–fire numerical model

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 2359-2371 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. C. Simpson ◽  
J. J. Sharples ◽  
J. P. Evans
Keyword(s):  
High Spatial Resolution ◽  
Wildland Fire ◽  
Fire Spread ◽  
Weather Research And Forecasting ◽  
Grid Spacing ◽  
Fire Behaviour ◽  
Model Framework ◽  
Rate Of Spread ◽  
Fire Front ◽  
Vertical Grid

Abstract. Vorticity-driven lateral fire spread (VLS) is a form of dynamic fire behaviour, during which a wildland fire spreads rapidly across a steep leeward slope in a direction approximately transverse to the background winds. VLS is often accompanied by a downwind extension of the active flaming region and intense pyro-convection. In this study, the WRF-Fire (WRF stands for Weather Research and Forecasting) coupled atmosphere–fire model is used to examine the sensitivity of resolving VLS to both the horizontal and vertical grid spacing, and the fire-to-atmosphere coupling from within the model framework. The atmospheric horizontal and vertical grid spacing are varied between 25 and 90 m, and the fire-to-atmosphere coupling is either enabled or disabled. At high spatial resolutions, the inclusion of fire-to-atmosphere coupling increases the upslope and lateral rate of spread by factors of up to 2.7 and 9.5, respectively. This increase in the upslope and lateral rate of spread diminishes at coarser spatial resolutions, and VLS is not modelled for a horizontal and vertical grid spacing of 90 m. The lateral fire spread is driven by fire whirls formed due to an interaction between the background winds and the vertical circulation generated at the flank of the fire front as part of the pyro-convective updraft. The laterally advancing fire fronts become the dominant contributors to the extreme pyro-convection. The results presented in this study demonstrate that both high spatial resolution and two-way atmosphere–fire coupling are required to model VLS with WRF-Fire.

Dynamic modelling of upslope fire growth

1999 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 285 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.A. Santoni ◽  
J.H. Balbi ◽  
J.L. Dupuy
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Study ◽  
Dynamic Modelling ◽  
Fire Spread ◽  
Nous Obtenons ◽  
Rate Of Spread ◽  
Nous Permet ◽  
Modèle Bidimensionnel ◽  
Fire Front ◽  
Fire Spreading ◽  
Pin Maritime

A two-dimensional non-stationary model of fire spread including slope effects is proposed. The numerical study of this model allows us to predict the rate of spread, the fire front perimeter and the temperature distribution for a fire spreading across a fuel bed under slope conditions. The numerical results are compared with success to experimental data generated from two laboratory point-ignition fire experiments which were conducted on dehydrated Pinus pinaster litter with slopes of 20 and 30°. Résumé Nous proposons un modèle bidimensionnel évolutif de propagation de feu prenant en compte les effets de la pente. L’étude numérique du modèle présenté ici nous permet de prédire la vitesse de propagation, le perimètre du front de feu ainsi que la distribution de température pour un feu se propageant dans une litière en présence d’une pente. Les résultats numériques que nous obtenons sont comparés avec succés aux données expérimentales issues de deux expériences qui furent réaliseés dans une litière de pin maritime avec un allumage ponctuel pour des pentes de 20 et 30 degrés.

Dynamic modelling of fire spread across a fuel bed

1999 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 275 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.H. Balbi ◽  
P.A. Santoni ◽  
J.L. Dupuy
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Study ◽  
Mathematical Problem ◽  
Dynamic Modelling ◽  
Reaction Diffusion ◽  
Fire Spread ◽  
Dynamic Features ◽  
Rate Of Spread ◽  
Reaction Diffusion Model ◽  
Initial Stage ◽  
Fire Front

The analysis of laboratory fire experiments led to the development of a reaction-diffusion model for the spread of fire across a fuel bed in windless and slopeless conditions. A method for the determination of coefficients in this model based on the dynamic features of a spreading fire is given. The numerical study of the mathematical problem proposed allows us to predict the rate of spread, the fire front perimeter and the temperature distribution for line-ignition and point-ignition fires. These results are compared with success to experimental data. Furthermore, the model allows us to estimate the acceleration of spread for a point-ignition fire in its initial stage and in the steady-state phase. Résumé Une analyse menée sur des expériences de laboratoires nous a permis de proposer un modèle de réaction-diffussion pour la propagation du feu sans vent et sans pente au travers d’une litière. Une méthode d’identification des coefficients du modèle, à partir des caractéristiques dynamiques de la propagation du feu, est donnée. L’étude numérique du problème mathématique nous permet de prédire la vitesse de propagation, le périmètre du front de feu et la température dans le domaine d’étude pour des allumages en ligne et pour des allumages ponctuels. Ces résultats sont comparés avec succés à des données expérimentales. De plus, nous sommes aussi en mesure de décrire l’accélération du front de feu dans les premiers instants suivant un allumage ponctuel.

The Speed of a Fire Front and Its Dependence on Wind-Speed

1993 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 193 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Beer
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Laboratory Tests ◽  
Field Data ◽  
Fire Spread ◽  
Measured Data ◽  
Rate Of Spread ◽  
Wind Rate ◽  
Fire Front ◽  
Analytical Formulae ◽  
Definition Of

The results of a number of laboratory tests of wind-driven fires indicate the existence of a characteristic wind speed, U'. The form of the fire spread (V) as a function of mid-flame wind speed (U) differs above and below this characteristic speed. The scatter in field data is so great that it is difficult to confirm this result for field data. However, expressions of the form: V/V0 -1 = α(U/U')0.5 U/U' < 1 and V/V0 -1 = α(U/U')3 U/U' > 1 with U' = 2.5 m s-1 perform in a similar manner to existing models. For many fuel types α = 15. A difficulty with existing fire spread models is the measurement and definition of V0, the no-wind rate of spread. It can hardly ever be measured in the field and has to be inferred from analytical formulae, or by extrapolating measured data. The value of a depends on the method used estimate V0.

scholarly journals Ignition Vulnerabilities of Combustibles around Houses to Firebrand Showers: Further Comparison of Experiments

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 2136
Author(s):  
Sayaka Suzuki ◽  
Samuel L. Manzello
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Thermal Radiation ◽  
Driving Force ◽  
Fire Spread ◽  
Significant Problem ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Similar Time ◽  
Comparison Of Experiments ◽  
Fire Front ◽  
Wui Fires

Wildland fires and wildland urban-interface (WUI) fires have become a significant problem in recent years. The mechanisms of home ignition in WUI fires are direct flame contact, thermal radiation, and firebrand attack. Out of these three fire spread factors, firebrands are considered to be a main driving force for rapid fire spread as firebrands can fly far from the fire front and ignite structures. The limited experimental data on firebrand showers limits the ability to design the next generation of communities to resist WUI fires to these types of exposures. The objective of this paper is to summarize, compare, and reconsider the results from previous experiments, to provide new data and insights to prevent home losses from firebrands in WUI fires. Comparison of different combustible materials around homes revealed that wood decking assemblies may be ignited within similar time to mulch under certain conditions.

scholarly journals Dimensional analysis on forest fuel bed fire spread

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-110
Author(s):  
Jiann C. Yang
Keyword(s):  
Dimensional Analysis ◽  
Fire Spread ◽  
Fuel Particle ◽  
Wind Condition ◽  
Spread Rate ◽  
Fuel Loading ◽  
Rate Of Spread ◽  
Dimensionless Groups ◽  
Dimensionless Correlations ◽  
Fuel Moisture Content

A dimensional analysis was performed to correlate the fuel bed fire rate of spread data previously reported in the literature. Under wind condition, six pertinent dimensionless groups were identified, namely dimensionless fire spread rate, dimensionless fuel particle size, fuel moisture content, dimensionless fuel bed depth or dimensionless fuel loading density, dimensionless wind speed, and angle of inclination of fuel bed. Under no-wind condition, five similar dimensionless groups resulted. Given the uncertainties associated with some of the parameters used to estimate the dimensionless groups, the dimensionless correlations using the resulting dimensionless groups correlate the fire rates of spread reasonably well under wind and no-wind conditions.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document