Experimental analysis of fire spread across a two-dimensional ridge under wind conditions
J. R. Raposo A F , S. Cabiddu B , D. X. Viegas A , M. Salis C D and J. Sharples EA ADAI/CEIF (Center of Studies About Forest Fires), University of Coimbra, Rua Luís Reis dos Santos, Coimbra 3030-788, Portugal.
B Sardinia Forest Service (CFVA), Via Umberto I° 414, Jerzu, Italy.
C University of Sassari, Department of Science for Nature and Environmental Resources (DIPNET), Via De Nicola 9, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
D Euro-Mediterranean Centre on Climate Changes (CMCC), IAFENT Division of Sassari, Via De Nicola 9, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
E University of New South Wales, UNSW Canberra, ACT 2610, Australia.
F Corresponding author. Email: xavier.viegas@dem.uc.pt
International Journal of Wildland Fire 24(7) 1008-1022 https://doi.org/10.1071/WF14150
Submitted: 28 August 2014 Accepted: 30 April 2015 Published: 9 July 2015
Abstract
Results from a laboratory-scale investigation of a fire spreading on the windward face of a triangular-section hill of variable shape with wind perpendicular to the ridgeline are reported. They confirm previous observations that the fire enlarges its lateral spread after reaching the ridgeline, entering the leeward face with a much wider front. Reference fire spread velocities were measured and analysed, putting in evidence the importance of the dynamic effect due to flow velocity and its associated horizontal-axis separation vortex strength without dependence on hill geometry. Similar parameters estimated from three forest fires compared favourably with the laboratory-scale measurements.
Additional keywords: fire channelling, horizontal vortices, lateral fire spread.
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