Dynamic model of Fire Growth in Abernethy Estate and Glen Tanar using FARSITE simulator

Abstract

Most of the vegetation fires in Great Britain are of an anthropogenic nature. The possibility of a wildfire occurrence depends on the combination of human behaviour, the type and condition of the vegetation and the weather conditions. By using FARSITE – Fire Area Simulator it is easy to develop a two-dimensional output such as Fire Growth model on personal computer. The simulator incorporates existing fire behaviour models of surface fire spread, crown fire, fire acceleration, fuel moisture and spotting from torching trees. The Simulator shows connections between existing fire behaviour models and the consequences for spatial patterns of fire growth and actions. It is useful for investigating the connections between different fire models and identifying missing components inside models. An analysis of the spatial and temporal distribution of fire records using FARSITE simulator could give a better understanding of fire occurrence, fire behaviour and wildfire depending on interactions between weather, vegetation and topography. FARSITE model is widely used by US federal and state land management agencies for making fire protection and land management decisions. Understanding Fire Growth process and impact of fire on vegetation improves fire management and clear understanding how fire can be used in land management.