scholarly journals Quantifying the Prevalence and Practice of Suppression Firing with Operational Data from Large Fires in Victoria, Australia

Fire ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 63
Author(s):  
Heather Simpson ◽  
Ross Bradstock ◽  
Owen Price
Keyword(s):  
Fire Management ◽  
Fire Spread ◽  
Fire Behaviour ◽  
Probability Models ◽  
Fire Control ◽  
Production Rates ◽  
Spatial Coverage ◽  
The World ◽  
Large Fires ◽  
Operational Data

Fire management agencies around the world use suppression firing for fire control. Yet, we know little about the extent of its use (e.g., prevalence and spatial coverage) and its impact on containment. We examine the prevalence and practice of suppression firing in Victoria, Australia. We used operational data from five years (2010–2015) to identify and map the incidence of suppression firing on 74 large fires (500+ ha). Suppression firing occurred on half (34) of these fires, 26 of which had data to map firing locations. The area burnt by suppression firing ranged from <1 ha to ~20,000 ha on separate fires. Archetypal suppression firing occurred during intervals of low fire spread and resulted in modest fire behaviour. Ground crews generally conducted the perimeter suppression firing. Aerial ignition was more common on large internal firing operations. For the 26 fires where we mapped the firing locations, firing occurred along 77% of the perimeter-aligned road. Suppression firing was a prominent containment tool used along one-fifth of the total external perimeter of these 74 large fires. Quantification of this practice is a first step towards establishing ignition thresholds, production rates, and integration with containment probability models.

On the need for a theory of wildland fire spread

2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Finney ◽  
Jack D. Cohen ◽  
Sara S. McAllister ◽  
W. Matt Jolly
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Fire Management ◽  
Wildland Fire ◽  
Fire Spread ◽  
Fire Behaviour ◽  
Fire Models ◽  
Model Reliability ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Combustion Processes ◽  
Common Understanding

We explore the basis of understanding wildland fire behaviour with the intention of stimulating curiosity and promoting fundamental investigations of fire spread problems that persist even in the presence of tremendous modelling advances. Internationally, many fire models have been developed based on a variety of assumptions and expressions for the fundamental heat transfer and combustion processes. The diversity of these assumptions raises the question as to whether the absence of a sound and coherent fire spread theory is partly responsible. We explore the thesis that, without a common understanding of what processes occur and how they occur, model reliability cannot be confirmed. A theory is defined as a collection of logically connected hypotheses that provide a coherent explanation of some aspect of reality. Models implement theory for a particular purpose, including hypotheses of phenomena and practical uses, such as prediction. We emphasise the need for theory and demonstrate the difference between theory and modelling. Increasingly sophisticated fire management requires modelling capabilities well beyond the fundamental basis of current models. These capabilities can only be met with fundamental fire behaviour research. Furthermore, possibilities as well as limitations for modelling may not be known or knowable without first having the theory.

scholarly journals A review on status, implications and recent trends of forest fire management

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 592-602
Author(s):  
Varun Attri ◽  
Rajeev Dhiman ◽  
S. Sarvade
Keyword(s):  
Forest Fire ◽  
Forest Fires ◽  
Fire Spread ◽  
Summer Season ◽  
Nutrient Cycle ◽  
Fire Control ◽  
Forest Fire Management ◽  
Large Fires ◽  
Real Time Information ◽  
And Control

Forest fire spread out in an area having combustible material in the summer season with high temperature. It burns the area and looks like a misery. Forest fire is one of the factors that severely affects the forest biodiversity. Burning actions in a forest affects not only flora and fauna but also soil properties changed due to the forest fire. In summer season on sloppy topography forest fire originates in tropical forests. While in coniferous forests, forest fire outbreaks during the resin extraction activities. More than 350 million hectares (ha) was estimated to be affected by vegetation fires globally. In India about 55% of forest area is prone to the fire. Fires can be natural or man- made, but manmade fire affects mostly. Several forest types and areas are more susceptible to forest fires because of suitable weather, topography and inflammable material. Forest fires adversely affect the soil, water, flora and fauna and disrupt the ecological functions. The new advances in fire control are remote sensing and GIS where real time information can be gathered about the fire break and immediate follow can be done. The chemicals (as borate, ammonium sulfate and ammonium biphosphate) are used for fire control and various other types of fire retardants are used to keep the fire under control. Forest fire changes the composition of vegetation, extinction of species, development of the various adaptations in unwanted plants. Nutrient cycle and soils are affected. Frequent forest fire events cause global warming. Forest fire needed to be controlled at initial stage and the large fires should not be allowed to occur, the modern techniques of monitoring, detection and control must be used for avoiding the large fires happenings.

A two-dimensional model of fire spread across a fuel bed including wind combined with slope conditions

2002 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frédéric Morandini ◽  
Paul A. Santoni ◽  
Jacques H. Balbi ◽  
João M. Ventura ◽  
José M. Mendes-Lopes
Keyword(s):  
Fire Management ◽  
Wildland Fire ◽  
Threshold Value ◽  
Fire Spread ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Fire Behaviour ◽  
Dimensional Model ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Spread Model ◽  
Fire Spread Model

In a previous work (Santoni et al., Int. J. Wildland Fire, 2000, 9(4), 285–292), we proposed a twodimensional fire spread model including slope effects as another step towards our aim to elaborate a fire management tool. In the present study, we improve the model to include both wind conditions and wind combined with slope conditions. For this purpose the effect of wind and slope are considered similar, in the sense that they both force the flames to lean forward. However, this analogy remains acceptable only when flame tilt is below a threshold value. Simulation results are compared to experimental data under wind and no-slope conditions. The proposed model is able to describe the fire behaviour. Predictions of the model for wind and slope conditions are then considered and comparisons with observations are also provided.

Fire Behaviour Modelling in Tasmanian Buttongrass Moorlands .II. Fire Behaviour

1995 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 215 ◽  
Author(s):  
JB Marsden-Smedley ◽  
WR Catchpole
Keyword(s):  
Fire Management ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Surface Wind Speed ◽  
Fire Spread ◽  
Flame Height ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Fuel Moisture ◽  
Fire Behaviour ◽  
Fuel Moisture Content

An experimental burning program was carried out in Tasmanian buttongrass moorlands to develop fire behaviour prediction models for improving fire management. A range of previously developed prediction models were examined, but none provided adequate fire behaviour predictions. Empirical models were then developed to predict rate of fire spread and flame height in flat terrain, using the variables site age, dead fuel moisture content and surface wind speed. The models should provide good predictions for low to moderate intensity fires and adequate predictions for high intensity wildfires.

Fire modelling in Tasmanian buttongrass moorlands. III. Dead fuel moisture

2001 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon B. Marsden-Smedley ◽  
Wendy R. Catchpole
Keyword(s):  
Prediction Model ◽  
Regression Model ◽  
Fire Management ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Dew Point ◽  
Seasonal Effects ◽  
Experimental Program ◽  
Fuel Moisture ◽  
Fire Behaviour ◽  
Fire Modelling

An experimental program was carried out in Tasmanian buttongrass moorlands to develop fire behaviour prediction models for improving fire management. This paper describes the results of the fuel moisture modelling section of this project. A range of previously developed fuel moisture prediction models are examined and three empirical dead fuel moisture prediction models are developed. McArthur’s grassland fuel moisture model gave equally good predictions as a linear regression model using humidity and dew-point temperature. The regression model was preferred as a prediction model as it is inherently more robust. A prediction model based on hazard sticks was found to have strong seasonal effects which need further investigation before hazard sticks can be used operationally.

Fire Management of Rangelands in the Kimberley Low-Rainfall Zone: a Review.

1999 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
AB Craig
Keyword(s):  
Fire History ◽  
Fire Management ◽  
Fire Regime ◽  
Fire Regimes ◽  
Environmental Research ◽  
Fire Behaviour ◽  
General Management ◽  
Noaa Avhrr ◽  
Local Experience ◽  
Definition Of

This paper examines a range of environmental, research and practical issues affecting fire management of pastoral lands in the southern part of the Kimberley region in Western Australia. Although spinifex grasslands dominate most leases, smaller areas of more productive pastures are crucially important to many enterprises. There is a lack of local documentation of burning practices during traditional Aboriginal occupation; general features of the fire regime at that time can be suggested on the basis of information from other inland areas. Definition of current tire regimes is improving through interpretation of NOAA-AVHRR satellite imagery. Irregular extensive wildfires appear to dominate, although this should be confirmed by further accumulation, validation and analysis of fire history data. While these fires cause ma,jor difficulties. controlled burn~ng is a necessary part of station management. Although general management guidelines have been published. local research into tire-grazing effects has been very limited. For spinifex pastures, reconimendations are generally consistent with those applying elsewhere in northern Australia. They favour periodic burning of mature spinifex late in the year, before or shortly after the arrival of the first rains, with deferment of grazing. At that time. days of high fire danger may still be expected and prediction of fire behaviour is critical to burning decisions. Early dry-season burning is also required for creating protective tire breaks and to prepare for burning later in the year. Further development of tools for predicting fire behaviour, suited to the discontinuous fuels characteristic of the area, would be warranted. A range of questions concerning the timing and spatial pattern of burning, control of post-fire grazing, and the economics of fire management, should be addressed as resources permit. This can be done through a combination of opportunistic studies, modelling and documentation of local experience. The development of an expert system should be considered to assist in planning and conducting burning activities. Key words: Kimberley, fire regimes, fire management, pastoralism, spinifex

scholarly journals Managed infrastructure and services to empower meteorological services in developing countries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Smith
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Life Cycle Management ◽  
Observation Data ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Observation Systems ◽  
Spatial Coverage ◽  
The World ◽  
The Impact

&lt;p&gt;Often in developing countries the spatial coverage with surface weather observations is sparse and the reliability of existing systems is lower than in other parts of the world. These gaps in the availability of observation data have significant negative consequences, locally and globally. For decades international funds have been used to acquire meteorological infrastructure with little to no focus on life-cycle management. Furthermore, improvements in one part of the value chain are often not connected with further downstream services meaning local benefits are generated with substantial delay, if at all.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;DTN is one of the few organizations offering comprehensive solutions across the value chain from deployment and operation of observation systems through to weather analytics creating valuable insights for business, consumers and governments across the globe. DTN not only project manages the setup of weather observation systems but also maintains and operates measurement networks on different continents. The sensor agnostic approach enables us to offer the right sensor solution for each situation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We see an opportunity to correct the mistakes of the past, changing the focus from acquiring observation systems to life cycle management to ensure the systems are maintained and leveraged effectively to provide forecasts and warnings for protection of life and property and enabling NMSs to focus on fulfilling their mission.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Funding organizations such as the World Bank must change the focus from hardware procurement to a performance-based PPE/P model that ensures the value of investments in infrastructure are realized. This sustainable approach will; ensure long lasting partnerships, harness the innovation in the private sector, create local jobs maintaining infrastructure and enable economic development through improved ability to manage the impact of weather and climate events.&lt;/p&gt;

Mantras of wildland fire behaviour modelling: facts or fallacies?

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 973 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel G. Cruz ◽  
Martin E. Alexander ◽  
Andrew L. Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Wildland Fire ◽  
Original Data ◽  
Fire Spread ◽  
Empirical Models ◽  
Physical Models ◽  
Fire Behaviour ◽  
Fire Science ◽  
Current State ◽  
Valid Data ◽  
Insight Into

Generalised statements about the state of fire science are often used to provide a simplified context for new work. This paper explores the validity of five frequently repeated statements regarding empirical and physical models for predicting wildland fire behaviour. For empirical models, these include statements that they: (1) work well over the range of their original data; and (2) are not appropriate for and should not be applied to conditions outside the range of the original data. For physical models, common statements include that they: (3) provide insight into the mechanisms that drive wildland fire spread and other aspects of fire behaviour; (4) give a better understanding of how fuel treatments modify fire behaviour; and (5) can be used to derive simplified models to predict fire behaviour operationally. The first statement was judged to be true only under certain conditions, whereas the second was shown not to be necessarily correct if valid data and appropriate modelling forms are used. Statements three through five, although theoretically valid, were considered not to be true given the current state of knowledge regarding fundamental wildland fire processes.

Modelling suppression difficulty: current and future applications

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 739 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Rodríguez y Silva ◽  
Christopher D. O'Connor ◽  
Matthew P. Thompson ◽  
Juan Ramón Molina Martínez ◽  
David E. Calkin
Keyword(s):  
Expert Knowledge ◽  
Fire Suppression ◽  
Fire Behaviour ◽  
Support Tools ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Large Fires ◽  
Informational Basis ◽  
Fire Containment ◽  
Difficulty Index ◽  
Made In

Improving decision processes and the informational basis upon which decisions are made in pursuit of safer and more effective fire response have become key priorities of the fire research community. One area of emphasis is bridging the gap between fire researchers and managers through development of application-focused, operationally relevant decision support tools. In this paper we focus on a family of such tools designed to characterise the difficulty of suppression operations by weighing suppression challenges against suppression opportunities. These tools integrate potential fire behaviour, vegetation cover types, topography, road and trail networks, existing fuel breaks and fireline production potential to map the operational effort necessary for fire suppression. We include case studies from two large fires in the USA and Spain to demonstrate model updates and improvements intended to better capture extreme fire behaviour and present results demonstrating successful fire containment where suppression difficulty index (SDI) values were low and containment only after a moderation of fire weather where SDI values were high. A basic aim of this work is reducing the uncertainty and increasing the efficiency of suppression operations through assessment of landscape conditions and incorporation of expert knowledge into planning.

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