Wildland firefighter safety zones: a review of past science and summary of future needs
B. W. Butler
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
US Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory, 5775 Highway 10 W. Missoula, MT 59802. Email: bwbutler@fs.fed.us
International Journal of Wildland Fire 23(3) 295-308 https://doi.org/10.1071/WF13021
Submitted: 7 February 2013 Accepted: 12 November 2013 Published: 24 March 2014
Abstract
Current wildland firefighter safety zone guidelines are based on studies that assume flat terrain, radiant heating, finite flame width, constant flame temperature and high flame emissivity. Firefighter entrapments and injuries occur across a broad range of vegetation, terrain and atmospheric conditions generally when they are within two flame heights of the fire. Injury is not confined to radiant heating or flat terrain; consequently, convective heating should be considered as a potential heating mode. Current understanding of energy transport in wildland fires is briefly summarised, followed by an analysis of burn injury mechanisms within the context of wildland fire safety zones. Safety zone theoretical and experimental studies are reviewed and a selection of wildland fire entrapments are examined within the context of safe separation distances from fires. Recommendations are made for future studies needed to more fully understand and define wildland firefighter safety zones.
Additional keywords: fire intensity, firefighter safety, safety zones, wildland fire.
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