doi:10.3850/978-981-08-7724-8_14-01

ABSTRACT

A review of the physical problems associated to forest fires and especially to fire spread is presented. The main modes of fire propagation and the problems associated to their modeling are described. Limitations of present state of the art simulation models and the concerns that are raised by extreme fire behaviour and their consequences to fire safety are indicated. The importance of eruptive fires in canyons and the need to understand their development to avoid fatal accidents is stressed.

Keywords: Forest fires, Fire behaviour, Fire safety, Eruptive fires, Extreme fire behaviour.

© 2011 CPD Unit, University of Leeds