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Observations of fire-induced turbulence regimes during low-intensity wildland fires in forested environments: implications for smoke dispersion

Formally Refereed

Abstract

Low-intensity wildland fires occurring beneath forest canopies can result in particularly adverse local air-quality conditions. Ambient and fire-induced turbulent circulations play a substantial role in the transport and dispersion of smoke during these fire events. Recent in situ measurements of fire–atmosphere interactions during low-intensity wildland fires have provided new insight into the structure of fire-induced turbulence regimes and how forest overstory vegetation can affect the horizontal and vertical dispersion of smoke. In this paper, we provide a summary of the key turbulence observations made during two low-intensity wildland fire events that occurred in the New Jersey Pine Barrens.

Keywords

forest canopy, low-intensity wildland fires, smoke dispersion, turbulence

Citation

Heilman, Warren E.; Clements, Craig B.; Seto, Daisuke; Bian, Xindi; Clark, Kenneth L.; Skowronski, Nicholas S.; Hom, John L. 2015. Observations of fire-induced turbulence regimes during low-intensity wildland fires in forested environments: implications for smoke dispersion. Atmospheric Science Letters. doi: 10.1002/asl.581.
Citations
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/48959