A mathematical model for predicting fire spread in wildland fuels
Abstract
Describes the model and laboratory experiments with three sizes of fuel (wood wool, and 1/4 and 1/2-in sticks) to evaluate empirical parameters for various fuel characteristics; effects of wind velocity and slope are also incorporated. Hypothetical models for use in the National Fire-Danger Rating System [see FA 34, 1705] were developed from the original model (intended for dead fuels) to represent 11 fuel types in temperate regions of the USA.
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Modelling fire behaviour began with the work of Rothermel (1972) and Van Wagner (1973) and has improved over time, including coupling with dynamic vegetation and/or Earth System models spanning a wide range of spatial and temporal scales.
“Modelling fire behaviour began with the work of (Rothermel, 1972) and (Van Wagner, 1973) and has improved over time (Table S2), including coupling with dynamic vegetation and/or Earth System models spanning a wide range of spatial and temporal scales.”
From Fire as a fundamental ecological process: Research advances and frontiers (2020) · cites this paper as Rothermel, 1972
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- Authors
- Rothermel, R. C.
- Affiliations
- US Forest Service (US)
- Corresponding author
- Rothermel, Richard C.
- Publisher
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station
- Published
- 1972
- OpenAlex
- W37217007
- Cited by
- 2,247
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 29 · 2025: 50 · 2024: 86 · 2023: 102 · 2022: 105 · 2021: 77 · 2020: 83 · 2019: 84 · 2018: 99 · 2017: 75 · 2016: 69 · 2015: 91 · 2014: 117 · 2013: 114 · 2012: 109
- Type
- report
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Digital Commons - USU (Utah State University) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Fire effects on ecosystems
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality › Fire dynamics and safety research
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Computational Mechanics › Combustion and flame dynamics
- Keywords
- fire spread prediction, wildland fuels, mathematical model, wood wool, wind speed effects, slope effects, empirical parameters, National Fire Danger Rating System, dead fuel, fuel type, temperate regions
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