Citation

Clements CB. Int. J. Wildland Fire 2010; 19(7): 895-902.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, International Association of Wildland Fire, Fire Research Institute, Publisher CSIRO Publishing)

DOI

10.1071/WF09009

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

High-frequency thermocouple measurements were made during an experimental grass fire conducted during ideal weather with overcast and windy conditions. Analysis of the thermodynamic structure of the fire plume showed that a maximum plume temperature of 295.2°C was measured directly above the combustion zone. Plume heating rates were on the order of 26-45 kW m-2 and occurred in the region just above the combustion zone between 10 and 15 m above ground level and were followed by cooling of approximately -37 and -44 kW m-2. The observed cooling was caused by strong entrainment that occurred behind the fire front and plume. The rapid heating and subsequent cooling indicate that the heating caused by a fire front is limited to a small volume around the flaming front and that the rates of heat gain occur for a short duration. The short duration of plume heating is due to the fast rate of spread of the fire front and ambient wind.

Language: en