Physical Processes in Forest Fires

Recommended Prerequisites

Basic knowledge in natural and exact sciences, social sciences or professional experience in risk science. Knowledge and ability to read in English.

Teaching Methods

Theoretical classes with detailed exposition of the concepts and principles pertaining the problems associated to forest fires from a practical and applied perspective. Theoretical-practical classes in which students are introduced to the problems concerning practical applications (with guidance). Laboratory work in which students have contact with the analysis of fire behaviour modes. Personal work involving the resolution of exercises on an autonomous base.

Learning Outcomes

The CU has as main objective to provide the students with solid and autonomous foundations on the physical processes associated to the development of forest fires in order to better understand the rationale of all activities of prevention, suppression and mitigation of fires. Heat and mass transfer processes that lead to modification of fuel moisture, of radiation and convection that produce fire spread will be studied. The role of slope and wind and the concept of dynamic fire behaviour will be analyzed and the fundamental aspects of fire safety will be described in order to inform the students about this very important aspect of fire management.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Introduction to Forest Fires (FF)

2. Factors affecting the ignition and spread of FF

a. Topography

b. Meteorology

c. Vegetation

d. Chronology

3. FF Behaviour

a. Normal and Extreme Fire Behaviour

b. Roles of wind and topography

c. Fire Behaviour Modelling

4. Interaction Between Fires and Persons: Fire Safety

a. Human vulnerability

b. Case Sudies

5. Wildland Urban Interface

a. Risk at the interface

b. Case Sudies

6. FF Management

a. Prevention

b. Supression

c. Mitigation and recovery.

Head Lecturer(s)

Domingos Xavier Filomeno Carlos Viegas

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Synthesis work: 30.0%
Exam: 70.0%

Bibliography

Arnaldos Viger J, Navalón Nonell X, Pastor Ferrer E, Planas Cichi E, Zárate López L, 2004. Manual de Ingenieria Básica para la Prevencióm y Extinción de Incendios Forestales. Ediciones Mundi-Prensa, 414 p.

Chuvieco E (Ed), 2009. Earth Observation of Wildland Fires in Mediterranean Ecosystems. Springer, 257 p.

Gould JS, McCaw WL, Chenney NP, Ellis PF, Knight IK, Sullivan AL, 2007. Project Vesta. Fire in Dry Eucalypt Forest: Fuel Structure, Fuel Dynamics and Fire Behaviour. ENSIS; Department of Environment and Conservation.

Flannigan M, Cantin AS, de Groot W, Wotton M, Newbery A, Gowman LM, 2013, Global wildland fire season severity in the 21st century. Forest Ecology and Management, 294, 54–61

Goldammer JG (Ed.), 2013. Vegetation Fires and Global Change. Challenges for Concerted International Action A White Paper directed to the United Nations and International Organizations.  GFMC, Kessel Publishing house, 400 p.