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Author(s):
Francis M. Fujioka, David R. Weise, Shyh-Chin Chen, Seung Hee Kim, Menas C. Kafatos
Year Published:

Cataloging Information

Topic(s):
Fire Behavior
Simulation Modeling
Fire Danger Rating

NRFSN number: 23177
Record updated:

The Rothermel fire spread model provides the scientific basis for the US National Fire Danger Rating System(NFDRS) and several other important fire management applications. This study proposes a new perspective of the model that partitions the reaction intensity function and Energy Release Component (ERC) equations as an alternative that simplifies calculations while providing more insight into the temporal variability of the energy release component of fire danger. We compare the theoretical maximum reaction intensities and corresponding ERCs across 1978, 1988 and 2016 NFDRS fuelmodels as they are currently computed and as they would be computed under the proposed scheme. The advantages and disadvantages of the new approach are discussed. More study is required to determine its operational implications.

Citation

Fujioka FM,Weise DR, Chen S, Kim SH,and Kafatos MC. 2021. Reaction intensity partitioning: a new perspective of theNational Fire Danger Rating System Energy ReleaseComponent. International Journal of Wildland Fire 30: 351–364. https://doi.org/10.1071/WF20025

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