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Modeling potential structure ignitions from flame radiation exposure with implications for wildland/urban interface fire management

Informally Refereed

Abstract

Residential losses associated with wildland fires have become a serious international fire protection problem. The radiant heat flux from burning vegetation adjacent to a structure is a principal ignition factor. A thermal radiation and ignition model estimated structure ignition potential using designated flame characteristics (inferred from various types and densities of vegetation) and flame-to-structure distances. Model results indicate that ignitions from flame radiation are unlikely to occur from burning vegetation beyond 40 meters of a structure. Thinning vegetation within 40 meters has a significant ignition mitigation effect.

Keywords

wildland/urban interface, flame radiation, piloted ignition, vegetation management

Citation

Cohen, Jack D.; Butler, Bret W. 1998. Modeling potential structure ignitions from flame radiation exposure with implications for wildland/urban interface fire management. In: Proceedings of the 13th Fire and Forest Meteorology Conference, International Association of Wildland Fire. p. 81-86
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/4687