INSTRUCTOR’S NOTE:

• View Graphs 00-02-S390-VG thru

00-50-S390-VG are not in this Power Point
Presentation (tables, maps, nomograms, etc..).

• The instructor will have to have these transparencies and

an overhead projector readily available.

• Instructor’s notes for these VG’s will appear in Power

Point Presentation.
 S-390
Introduction to Wildland Fire
Behavior Calculations
 COURSE OBJECTIVES
 Determine what input is needed for the
surface fire behavior nomogram.
Perform fire behavior calculations of rate of
spread, fireline intensity, flame length, and
area/perimeter growth using a fire behavior
processor (surface fire behavior
nomograms).
Prepare a fire perimeter map showing head,
flanks, and rear of the fire in hourly
increments.
00-01-S390-VG
Page 1 of 2
 COURSE OBJECTIVES
 Based on predicted fire behavior, identify
areas where fire suppression limitations
exist, and make recommendations for
fireline location and safe control tactics
including the use of backfiring and burning
out.
Discuss applications of fire behavior
predictions and recognize when predictions
may be different from the observed.
00-01-S390-VG
Page 2 of 2
 UNIT 1- FIRE BEHAVIOR
INPUTS OBJECTIVES
Select “best fit” fire behavior fuel models
using a key and fuel model descriptions.

Determine dead and live fuel moisture

contents and the probability of ignition.

01-01-S390-VG
Page1 of 2
 UNIT 1- FIRE BEHAVIOR
INPUTS OBJECTIVES (cont.)
Determine midflame windspeeds when
given the 20-foot winds, fuel type or model,
and terrain features.

Calculate slope to the nearest 5% using

topographic maps and the slope formula.

Convert fire spread distance to map

distance.
01-01-S390-VG
Page 2 of 2
 FUEL MODEL
A Set of parameters that define fuel
input to the fire spread model.

01-02-S390-VG
 FUEL GROUPS
 GRASS (3 MODELS)

SHRUB (4 MODELS)

TIMBER LITTER (3 MODELS)

LOGGING SLASH (3 MODELS)

01-03-S390-VG
 Fire Behavior Fuel Model Description
 GRASS GROUP
Fuel Model 1 (1 foot deep) Fire spread is governed by the fine herbaceous
fuels that have cured or are nearly cured. Fires are surface fires that
move rapidly through cured grass and associated material. Very little
shrub or timber is present, generally less than one-third of the area.
Grasslands and savanna are represented along with stubble, grass-tundra,
and grass-shrub combinations that meet the above area constraint.
Annual and perennial grasses are included in this fuel model.

01-04-S390-
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 Fire Behavior Fuel Model Description
 GRASS GROUP
Fuel Model 2 (1 foot deep) Fire spread is primarily through the fine herbaceous
fuels, either curing or dead. These are surface fires where the herbaceous
material, besides litter and dead-down stemwood from the open shrub or
timber overstory, contribute to the fire intensity. Open shrub lands and pie
stands or scrub oak stands that cover 1/3 to 2/3 of the area may generally fit
this model but may include clumps of fuels that generate higher intensities and
may produce firebrands. Some pinyon-juniper may be in this model.

01-04-S390-
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 Fire Behavior Fuel Model Description
 GRASS GROUP
Fuel Model 3 (2.5 feet deep) Fires in this fuel are the most
intense of the grass group and display high rates of spread
under the influence of wind. The fire may be driven into
the upper heights of the grass stand by the wind and cross
over standing water. Stands are tall, averaging about 3 feet,
but considerable variation may occur. Approximately one-
third or more of the stand is considered dead or cured and
maintains the fire.

01-04-S390-
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 Fire Behavior Fuel Model Description
 SHRUB GROUP
Fuel Model 4 (6 feet deep) Fire intensity and fast spreading fires involve the
foliage and live and dead fine woody materials in the crowns of a nearly
continuous secondary overstory. Examples are stands of mature shrub, 6 or
more feet tall, such as California mixed chaparral, the high pocosins along the
east coast, the pine barrens of New Jersey or the closed jack pine stands of the
north-central states. Besides flammable foliage, there is dead woody material in
the stand that significantly contributes to the fire intensity. Height of stands
qualifying for this model vary with local conditions. There may be also a deep
litter layer that confounds suppression efforts.

01-05-S390-
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 Fire Behavior Fuel Model Description
 SHRUB GROUP
Fuel Model 5 (2 feet deep) Fire is generally carried in the surface
fuels made up of litter cast by the shrubs and the grasses or forbs in
the understory. Fires are generally not very intense as surface fuel
loads are light, the shrubs are young with little dead material, and
the foliage contains little volatile material. Shrubs are generally
not tall, but nearly cover the entire area. Young, green stands with
little or no deadwood such as laurel, vine maple, alder, or even
chaparral, mazanita, or chamise are examples. As the shrub fuel
moisture drops, consider using a Fuel Model 6.

01-05-S390-
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 Fire Behavior Fuel Model Description
 SHRUB GROUP
Fuel Model 6 (2.5 feet deep) Fires carry through the shrub layer where the foliage is
more flammable than Fuel Model 5, but require moderate winds (>8 mi/h) at
midflame height. Fire will drop to the ground at low windspeeds or openings in the
stand. Shrubs are older, but not as tall as shrub types of Model4, nor do they contain
as much fuel as Model 4. A broad range of shrub conditions is covered by this
model. Typical examples include intermediate stands of chamise, chaparral, oak
brush, low pocosin, Alaskan spruce taiga, and shrub tundra. Cured hardwood slash
can be considered. Pinyon-juniper shrublands may fit, but may overpredict rate of
spread except at high winds; e.g., 20 mi/h at the 20-foot level.

01-05-S390-
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 Fire Behavior Fuel Model Description
 SHRUB GROUP

Fuel Model 7 (2.5 feet deep) Fire burns through the surface and
shrub strata equally. Fire can occur at higher dead fuel moisture
contents due to the flammable nature of live foliage. Shrubs are
generally 2 to 6 feet high. Examples are Palmetto-gallberry
understory-pine overstory sites, low pocosins, and Alaska Black
Spruce-shrub combinations.

01-05-S390-
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 Fire Behavior Fuel Model Description

 TIMBER GROUP
Fuel Model 8 (0.2 feet deep) Slow burning ground fires with low flame
heights are generally the case, although an occasional “jackpot” or heavy
fuel concentration may cause a flare up. Only under severe weather
conditions do these fuels pose fire problems. Closed-canopy stands of
short needle conifers or hardwoods that have leafed out support fire in the
compact litter layer. This layer is mainly needles, leaves, and some twigs
since little undergrowth is present in the stand. Representative conifer
types are white pine, lodgepole pine, spruce, true firs, and larches.

01-06-S390-
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 Fire Behavior Fuel Model Description
 TIMBER GROUP
Fuel Model 9 (0.2 feet deep) Fires run through the surface litter
faster than model 8 and have higher flame height. Both long-
needle conifer and hardwood stands, especially the oak-
hickory types, are typical. Fall fires in hardwoods are
representative, but high winds will actually cause higher rates
of spread than predicted because of spotting caused by rolling
and blowing leaves. Closed stands of long-needled pine like
ponderosa, Jeffrey, and red pines or southern pine plantations
are grouped in this model. Concentrations of dead-downed
woody material will contribute to possible torching out of
trees, spotting and crowning activity.
01-06-S390-
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 Fire Behavior Fuel Model Description
 TIMBER GROUP
Fuel Model 10 (1 foot deep) The fires burn in the surface and
ground fuels with greater fire intensity than other timber litter
models. Dead-down fuels include greater quantities of 3-inch
or larger limb wood resulting from over-maturity or natural
events that create a large load of dead material on the forest
floor. Crowning out, spotting, and torching of individual trees
are more frequent in this fuel situation leading to potential fire
control difficulties. Any forest type may be considered when
heavy down materials are present; examples are insect or
diseased stands, wind-thrown stands, over-mature situations
with deadfall, and cured light thinning or partial-cut slash.

01-06-S390-
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 Fire Behavior Fuel Model Description
 LOGGING SLASH GROUP
Fuel Model 11 (1 foot deep) Fires are fairly active in the slash
and herbaceous material intermixed with the slash. The
spacing of the rather light fuel load, shading from overstory,
or the aging of the fine fuels can contribute to limiting the
fire potential. Light partial cuts or thinning operations in
mixed conifer stands, hardwood stands, and southern pine
harvests are considered. Clear-cut operations generally
produce more slash than represented here. The <3 inch
material load is less than 12 tons per acre. The >3 inch
material is represented by not more than 10 pieces, 4 inches
in diameter along a 50-foot transect.
01-07-S390-
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 Fire Behavior Fuel Model Description
LOGGING SLASH GROUP
Fuel Model 12 (2.3 feet deep) Rapidly spreading fires with
high intensities capable of generating firebrands can occur.
When fire starts, it is generally sustained until a fuel break
or change in fuels is encountered. The visual impression is
dominated by slash and much of it is <3 inches in diameter.
These fuels total less than 35 tons per acre and seem well
distributed. Heavily thinned conifer stands, clearcuts and
medium or heavy partial cuts are represented. The >3 inch
material is represented by encountering 11 pieces, 6 inches
in diameter, along a 50-foot transect.

01-07-S390-
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 LOGGING SLASH GROUP
Fuel Model 13 (3 feet deep) Fire is generally carried by a continuous
layer of slash. Large quantities of >3inch material are present. Fires
spread quickly through the fine fuels and intensity builds up as the
large fuels start burning. Active flaming is sustained for long periods
and a wide variety of firebrands can be generated. These contribute
to spotting problems as the weather conditions become more severe.
Clear-cut and heavy partial-cuts in mature and over-mature stands are
depicted where the slash load is dominated by the >3inch material.
The total load may exceed 300 tons per acre, but the <3 inch fuel is
generally only 10 percent of the total load. Situations where the slash
still has “red’ needles attached, but the total load is lighter like a
Model 12, can be represented because of the earlier high intensity
and faster rate of spread.

01-07-S390-
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 FUEL MODEL SIZE CLASS KEY
Fuel Fuel Loading Approx. Moist. ROS* FL* (ft)
Model Fuel Bed Of Ext. (ch/h)
1- 10- 100- Live Depth (%)
Hour Hour Hour (ft.)

Grass Group
1 x 1.0 12 78 4
2 x x x x 1.0 15 35 6
3 x 2.5 25 104 12
Shrub Group
4 x x x x 6.0 20 75 19
5 x x x 2.0 20 18 4
6 x x x 2.5 25 32 6
7 x x x x 2.5 40 20 5
Timber Litter Group
8 x x x 0.2 30 2 1
9 x x x 0.2 25 8 3
10 x x x x 1.0 25 8 5
Logging Slash Group
11 x x x 1.0 15 6 4
12 x x x 2.3 20 13 8
13 x x x 3.0 25 14 11

*ROS and FL are representatives values under a fine dead fuel

moisture of 8%, a midflame windspeed of 5 mi/h, and live fuel
01-08-S390-
 FIRE BEHAVIOR FUEL MODEL KEY
ALWAYS CHECK THE SELECTED MODEL WITH
FUEL MODEL DESCRIPTION.
I. PRIMARY CARRIER OF FIRE IS GRASS. EXPECTED RATE OF
SPREAD IS MODERATE TO HIGH, WITH LOW TO MODERATE
INTENSITY.

•GRASS HAS FINE STRUCTURE, GENERALLY BELOW KNWEE

LEVEL, AND CURED OR PRIMARILY DEAD. GRASS IS
ESSENTIALLY
CONTINUOUS……………………………………………………....MODEL 1.

•GRASS IS COURSE STRUCTURED, ABOVE KNWEE

LEVEL(AVERAGE ABOUT 3 FEET) AND DIFFICULT TO WALK
THROUGH…………………………………………………...…MODEL 3.

•GRASS IS USUALLY UNDER AND OPEN TIMBER OR BRUSH

OVERSTORY. LITTER FROM OVERSTORYIS INVOLVED, BUT
GRASS CARRIES THE
01-09-S390-
FIRE…………………………………………..MODEL 2. VG
 FIRE BEHAVIOR FUEL MODEL KEY
II. PRIMARY CARRIER OF FIRE IS BRUSH. EXPECTED RATE OF
SPREAD AND INTENSITY ARE BOTH MODERATE TO HIGH.

•VEGETATION TYPE IS SOUTHERN ROUGH OR LOW POCOSIN.

BRUSH IS GENERALLY 2 TO 4 FEET HIGH…………....MODEL 7.

•LIVE FUELS ARE ABSENT OR SPARCE WITH NO CAPACITY TO

REDUCE FIRE SPREAD. REQUIRES MODERATE WINDS OT CARRY
FIRE. …………………………………………….…………...…MODEL 6.

•LIVE FUEL MOISTURE CAN HAVE A SIGNIFICANT DAMPING

EFFECT ON THE FIRE BEHAVIOR:

–BRUSH IS ABOUT 2 FEET HIGH, WITH LIGHT LOADING OF

BRUSH LITTER UNDERNEATH, WHICH MAY CARRY
FIRE……………………………………………………….MODEL 5.

–BRUSH IS HEAD HIGH (6 FEET), WITH HEAVY LOADINGS OF

1-HOUR DEAD FUELS…………………………...……..MODEL 4.
01-09-S390-
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 FIRE BEHAVIOR FUEL MODEL KEY
III. PRIMARY CARRIER OF FIRE IS TIMBER LITTER BENEATH A
TIMBER STAND. SPREAD RATES ARE LOW-TO-MODERATE;
FIRELINE INTENSITY MAY B LOW-TO-HIGH.

•LIVE FUELS ARE PRESENT AND CAN INFLUENCE FIRE

BEHAVIOR. THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF LARGER
FUELS WITH ATTACHED TWIGS AND BRANCHES………MODEL 10.

•SURFACE FUELS ARE MOSTLY FOLIAGE LITTER, WITH LITTLE

OR NO LIVE FUEL. LARGER FUELS ARE SCATTERED AND LIE
FLAT ON THE LITTER:

–DEAD FOLIAGE IS TIGHTLY COMPACTED, SHORT NEEDLED

CONIFER OR HARDWOOD
LITTER………………………………………………………MODEL 8.

–DEAD FOLIAGE LITTER IS LOOSELY COMPACTED LONG

NEEDLED PINE OR HARDWOODS.…………...……..MODEL 9.
01-09-S390-
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 FIRE BEHAVIOR FUEL MODEL KEY
IV. PRIMARY CARRIER OF FIRE IS SLASH, USUALLY PRODUCED
FORM LOGGING. SPREAD RATES ARE LOW-TO-HIGH, FIRELINE
INTENSITIES ARE LOW-TO-VERY HIGH.

•SLASH IS NOT CONTINUOUS. NEEDLE LITTER OR SMALL

AMOUNTS OF GRASS OR SHRUBS MUST BE PRESENT OT HELP
CARRY THE FIRE, BUT PRIMARY CARRIES IS STILL SLASH. LIVE
FUELS ARE ABSENT OR NONINFLUENCING. AVERAGE SLASH
DEPTH IS ABOUT 1 FOOT………………………………..…MODEL 11.

•SLASH IS CONTINUOUS. SLASH IS NOT EXCESSIVELY

COMPACTED. LIVE FUELS ARE ABSENT OR NONINFLUENCING.
AVERAGE SLASH DEPTH IS ABOUT 2 FEET………..….MODEL 12.

•SLASH IS GENERALLY CONTINUOUS. HEAVIER FUEL LOADING

THAN MODEL 12. AVERAGE SLASH DEPTH IS ABOUT 3 FEET.
LIVE FUELS ARE NOT EXPECTED TO INFLUENCE FIRE
BEHAVIOR………………………………………………….….MODEL 13.
01-09-S390-
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 LIVE FUEL MOISTURE
STAGE OF VEGETATIVE DEVELOPMENT MOISTURE
________________________________________ CONTENT
Percent
Fresh foliage, annuals developing early in 300
growing cycle.

Maturing foliage, still developing with full 200

turgor.

Mature foliage, new growth complete and 100

comparable to older perennial foliage.

Entering dormancy, coloration starting, some 50

leaves may have dropped from stem.

Completely cured. Less than 30,

treat as a 01-10-S390-
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PROBABILITY OF IGNITION
PIG

A rating of the probability that a

glowing firebrand will cause a fire.

01-11-S390-
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Display Transparency:

01-12-S390-VG
HELLROARING MAP
MIDFLAME vs. 20-FOOT WINDS
20 mi/h

20 mi/h

10 mi/h

3 mi/h

01-13-S390-
Display Transparency:

01-14-S390-VG
20 FOOT WINDSPEED IS
ADJUSTED TO MIDFLAME
BASED ON OVERSTORY
 Fuel exposure to wind Unsheltered
(ridgetops)
Wind

Partly sheltered
(under timber
Partly sheltered midslope, wind
(patchy timber) on slope)
Fully sheltered
(under timber,
flat or gentle
Unsheltered (no foliage, slope, near base
near clearings) of steep mtn.)
Display Transparency:

01-15-S390-VG
EXERCISE 3-DETERMINING
MIDFLAME WINDSPEED
 PERCENT SLOPE

RISE IN FEET X 100 %

% SLOPE = RUN IN FEET

RISE

RUN
01-16-S390-
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 UNIT 1- FIRE BEHAVIOR
INPUTS OBJECTIVES

1 Select “best fit” fire behavior fuel models

using a key and fuel model descriptions.

2 Determine dead and live fuel moisture

contents and the probability of ignition.

01-17-S390-VG
Page 1 of 2
 UNIT 1- FIRE BEHAVIOR
INPUTS OBJECTIVES (cont.)

3 Determine midflame windspeeds when

given the 20-foot winds, fuel type or model,
and terrain features.
4 Calculate slope to the nearest 5 % using
topographic maps and the slope formula.
5 Convert fire spread distance to map
distance.

01-17-S390-VG
Page 2 of 2
 UNIT 2- FIRE BEHAVIOR
CALCULATIONS OBJECTIVES
1. Give the five necessary input values and
four output values of the surface fire
behavior nomograms.

2. Describe the differences between point

source and line source fire behavior
predictions.

02-01-S390-VG
Page 1 of 2
 UNIT 2- FIRE BEHAVIOR
CALCULATIONS OBJECTIVES
3. Use the surface fire behavior nomogram to
calculate rate of spread, fireline intensity,
heat per unit area and flame length.
4. Determine perimeter, area and shape of a
wildland fire originating from a point
source.
5. Determine maximum spotting distance.

02-01-S390-VG
Page 2 of 2
SURFACE FIRE BEHAVIOR
NOMOGRAM
INPUTS

ACME NUMBER CRUNCER

PATENT PEND.

OUTPUTS

02-02-S390-
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SURFACE FIRE BEHAVIOR
NOMOGRAM ?????

GARBAGE INPUTS

ACME NUMBER CRUNCER

PATENT PEND.

GARBAGE
OUTPUTS

02-03-S390-
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A MATHEMATICAL
MODEL IS A SET OF
EQUATIONS

02-04-S390-
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 ASSUMPTIONS OF THE FIRE
SPREAD MODEL
1. Fire is spreading at the flame front.

2. Fire is free burning.

3. Fine fuels control rate of spread.

4. Uniform and continuous fuels.

5. Surface fire.
02-05-S390-
6. Uniform weather and topography. VG
 FUEL MODEL

A set of numbers which define fuel

input to the fire spread model.

02-06-S390-
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 FORMULA FOR
CALCULATING FUEL
MOISTURE
Net Wet Weight - Net Dry Weight
MC= X 100
Net Dry Weight

02-07-S390-
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Display Transparency:

02-08-S390-VG
EFFECTIVE WINDSPEED
 TIME

ENDING
TIME
STARTING
TIME
DISTANCE

RATE OF SPREAD
DISTANCE/TIME
ROS
CH/HR
02-09-S390-
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 STARTING
TIME

ENDING
TIME

HEAT PER UNIT AREA

Btu/sq ft
02-10-S390-
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 ONE FOOT

FIRELINE INTENSITY
Btu/ft/s
02-11-S390-
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FLAME LENGTH
FEET
02-12-S390-
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 Display Transparencies:

02-13-S390-VG = Fire Beh. Fire Characteristics Chart

02-14-S390-VG = Fire Beh. Fire Characteristics Chart

for heavy fuels
 POINT SOURCE
Point source model is designated for fires
burning on flat ground or where the wind
is blowing in the direction of the slope plus
or minus 30°.
upslope
slope
max

± 30º

02-15-S390-
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SPREAD CALCULATION

SD=PT X ROS

SD = SPREAD DISTANCE
PT= PROJECTION TIME
ROS = RATE OF SPREAD
02-16-S390-
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Display Transparency:

02-17-S390-VG
LINE SOURCE
 LINE SOURCE
Fire has become large and no
longer has a basic elliptical
shape because of changing
conditions (fuel type, fuel
moisture, weather).
1600
1
1200
2
02-17-S390-
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Refer to View Graph
 SPREAD DIRECTION
UP UP UP
SLOPE SLOPE SLOPE
NO WIND

WIND
WIND

D
IN
W
DOWN DOWN DOWN
SLOPE SLOPE SLOPE 02-18-S390-
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 FIRE BEHAVIOR FUEL
MODEL LIMITATIONS

All the assumptions made in fuel

models and fire behavior model.

02-19-S390-
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 FIRE MODEL LIMITATIONS
SURFACE FIRES
-Not crown fires.
-Doesn’t consider spotting.

BEHAVIOR AT THE FIRE FRONT

-Not pile burning.
-Not burnout.
02-20-S390-
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Page 1 of 2
 FIRE MODEL LIMITATIONS
BEHAVIOR NO LONGER
INFLUENCED BY METHOD OF
IGNITION.

NOT IMPEDED BY FIRE

SUPPRESSION ACTIVITIES.

FUEL CONTINUOUS, UNIFORM.

BURNING CONDITIONS CONSTANT.

02-20-S390-
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 POINT SOURCE
PREDICTION LIMITATIONS
Calculations with windspeeds less than
2.5 miles per hour are generally too low.

Better predictions result with

windspeeds greater than 2.5 miles
per hour.

02-21-S390-
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THE PERIOD OF BURNING
TIME IS USUALLY SHORT
UP TO ONE HOUR.

02-22-S390-
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FIRE PERIMETER AND SHAPES

Fire perimeter and shapes are based on

smooth ellipses - actual perimeter of
the fire edge would likely be greater
length and follow topographic relief.

02-23-S390-
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 APPROXIMATE FIRE SHAPES
ASSOCIATED WITH MIDFLAME
WINDSPEEDS OF…..
Wind Direction
Fire Start
7.5 mi/h
2.5 mi/h

10 mi/h

5 mi/h 15 mi/h
02-24-S390-
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 AREAS OF USE SUPPRESSION

Determination of locations to place crews,

equipment, helicopters and fuel breaks.

Development of the wildland fire

situation analysis.

02-25-S390-
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 PRESUPPRESSION PLANNING

Determination of staffing requirements.

Need for retardant.

Attack priorities in multiple fire

situations.

02-26-S390-
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 PRESCRIBED BURNING
Distance between spot fires to accomplish
an objective.

Calculating timing of ignition to take

advantage of diurnal weather patterns.

Managing wilderness fires.

Development of escaped fire contingency

planning. 02-27-S390-
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Display Transparencies:

02-28-S390-VG
THRU
02-36-S390-VG
 EFFECTIVE WINDSPEED

The midflame adjusted for the effect

of slope on uphill fire spread.

02-37-S390-
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EXAMPLES OF EFFECTIVE WINDSPEED

i /h
3 m
EFFECTIVE
WINDSPEED
IS 5 mi/h
5 mi/h 60%

02-38-S390-
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FIRE SHAPES ARE DEPENDENT ON
EFFECTIVE WINDSPEEDS
Origin

7 mi/h
1 mi/h

Wind Direction 9 mi/h

3 mi/h NOT TO SIZE,

SCALES ARE 11 mi/h
ARBITRARY
13 mi/h
5 mi/h
15 mi/h
02-39-S390-
Display Transparencies:

02-40-S390-VG
THRU
02-42-S390-VG
 MAXIMUM SPOTTING
DISTANCE

When torching trees, piles or wind-

driven surface fires loft firebrands,
which are then carried by the
prevailing wind.

02-43-S390-
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 SOURCES OF FIREBRAND

•Torching trees

•Burning pile

•Spreading surface fire

02-44-S390-
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FACTORS RELATING TO THE
SPOTTING PROBLEM
•Probability of production of
firebrands.

•Windspeed.

•Fire intensity.

•Number of firebrands 02-45-S390-

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ASSUMPTIONS AND LIMITATIONS
FOR MAXIMUM SPOTTING
DISTANCE NOMOGRAMS
•Level terrain

•Flame source is a torching tree

•Uniform forested terrain

•Tree species from the Intermountain

West 02-46-S390-
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REQUIRED INFORMATION FOR
SPOTTING DISTANCE
NOMOGRAMS
•Torching tree height
•Torching tree species
•Torching tree DBH
•Average treetop height where brand
may fall.
•20-foot windspeed
02-47-S390-
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 UNIT 2- FIRE BEHAVIOR
CALCULATIONS OBJECTIVES
1. Give the five necessary input values and
four output values of the surface fire
behavior nomograms.

2. Describe the differences between point

source and line source fire behavior
predictions.

02-48-S390-VG
Page 1 of 2
 UNIT 2- FIRE BEHAVIOR
CALCULATIONS OBJECTIVES
3. Use the surface fire behavior nomogram to
calculate rate of spread, fireline intensity,
heat per unit area and flame length.
4. Determine perimeter, area and shape of a
wildland fire originating from a point
source.
5. Determine maximum spotting distance.

02-48-S390-VG
Page 2 of 2
 UNIT 3- FIRE BEHAVIOR
APPLICATIONS OBJECTIVES
1. Describe the sensitivity of fire behavior
model outputs to inputs using the surface
fire behavior nomograms.

2. Describe how the wildland fire behavior

prediction system can be used in fire
planning.
03-01-S390-VG
Page 1 of 3
 UNIT 3- FIRE BEHAVIOR
APPLICATIONS OBJECTIVES
3. Determine rate of spread, flame length, area,
perimeter, maximum spotting distance, and
probability of ignition for wildland fires in a variety
of fuel types.
4. Describe four methods to measure rate of spread
and two methods to estimate flame length.
5. List five reasons why the results of a fire behavior
prediction model may differ from the observed fire
behavior.

03-01-S390-VG
Page 2 of 3
 UNIT 3- FIRE BEHAVIOR
APPLICATIONS OBJECTIVES
6. Describe methods used to adjust fire behavior
predictions.
OPTIONAL
7. Determine crown fire potential for wildland fire
scenarios in a variety of fuel types.
Use Northern Rockies Crown Fire Nomogram to
calculate rate of spread and to estimate if the fire will
be wind-driven or plume-dominated.

03-01-S390-VG
Page 3 of 3
 OBJECTIVE #1

Describe the sensitivity of fire behavior

model outputs to inputs using the
surface fire behavior nomograms.

Fuel Models 1,2,4,8, and 13.

03-02-S390-
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Display Transparency:

03-03-S390-VG
FIRE BEHAVIOR
Fire Characteristics Chart (Haul Chart)
 OBJECTIVE #2

Describe how the wildland fire behavior

prediction system can be used in fire
planning.

03-04-S390-
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Dispatching Priorities

FUELS
WEATHER
TOPOGRAPHY

03-05-S390-
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Predicting “Real Time” Fire Behavior

Running Surface Fire

Wildland Fire Situation Analysis(WFSA)

03-06-S390-
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 Prescribed Burning

•Estimate the behavior of escapes or spots.

•Assess fuel and weather conditions at burn time.

•Develop burn prescriptions.

•Develop containment and control plans.

03-07-S390-
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Managing Prescribed Natural Fires

03-08-S390-
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 FIRE PLANNING

•Preattack

•Describing consequences

•Environmental documents

03-09-S390-
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 OBJECTIVE #3
Determine rate of spread, flame length,
area, perimeter, maximum spotting
distance, and probability of ignition,
for wildland fires in a variety of fuel
types.
Review Units 1 & 2
Surface Fire Nomogram
Spotting Distance Nomogram
Area/Perimeter Tables
Probability of Ignition Tables 03-10-S390-
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Display Transparencies:

03-11-S390-VG
THRU
03-26-S390-VG
 OBJECTIVE #4

Describe four methods to measure rate

of spread and two methods to estimate
flame length.

03-27-S390-
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 Spread Distance
Rate of Spread = Elapsed Time

03-28-S390-
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WAYS TO MEASURE RATE OF SPREAD
1. Metal tags - aluminum pipes.

2. Hand held “Range Finder”.

3. Aerial platform - high resolution

maps or photos.

4. Aerial photos, infrared imagery

or video.

5. Global Positioning System (GPS). 03-29-S390-

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 FLAME LENGTH*

Indicator of intensity

Observable

*Remember flame length is not equal

to flame height.

03-30-S390-
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1. Compare flames to objectives
of known dimensions.
-firefighter
-fence post
-post with painted stripes

2. Photos, infrared imagery, and

digitized videotape.
03-31-S390-
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 OBJECTIVE #5

List five reasons why the results of a

fire behavior prediction model may
differ from the observed fire behavior.

03-32-S390-
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DIFFICULTY IN OBSERVING
FIRE BEHAVIOR

•individual perceptions

•observations made incorrectly

•fire travels in pulses; need average

03-33-S390-
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 MODEL APPLICABILITY
Fuel Bed - continuous, uniform,
homogenous

Spotting - not considered in spread

model

Fire vortices and other fire induced

phenomena
03-34-S390-
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 ACCURACY OF MODEL
RELATIONSHIPS
Formula used to describe real world.

Built on theoretical and limited

observed relationships.

Experience helps improve accuracy.

03-35-S390-
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ACCURACY OF INPUT DATA

Garbage “IN” garbage “OUT”

Environmental factors important

Custom fuel models where existing

FBPS models do not apply

03-36-S390-
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 ADVANCED FIRE
PREDICTION TECHNIQUES
Two fuel model concept

Cross-slope wind

Rough terrain spotting

03-37-S390-
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 OBJECTIVE #6

Describe methods used to adjust fire

behavior predictions.

03-38-S390-
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VALUE OF INFORMATION

Is increased accuracy valuable?

Will information be timely?

03-39-S390-
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STATISTICAL ADJUSTMENTS

-When value is high

-Observed and predicted vary

-Costs justifiable

-”Line of closest fit”

03-40-S390-
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Display Transparencies:

03-41-S390-VG
THRU
03-43-S390-VG
 Regression Analysis
Regression Line Calculated

Ro = m * R p + b

Ro = Corrected Rate

Rp = Predicted Rate

b = y intercept (positive or negative)

M = Slope of line
03-44-S390-
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INPUT DATA ACCURACY

-Measure windspeed

-Custom fuel models

03-45-S390-
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 EXPERIENCE

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

VALIDITY

“LOOK UP” “LOOK DOWN”

“LOOK AROUND”
03-46-S390-
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Display Transparencies:

03-47-S390-VG
THRU
03-50-S390-VG
NOMOGRAM OVERVIEW
•Early spring before greenup

•Late spring or early summer

•Normal dry summer

•Summer drought

•Late summer severe drought 03-51-S390-

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Display Transparencies:

03-52-S390-VG
THRU
03-60-S390-VG
 UNIT 3- FIRE BEHAVIOR
APPLICATIONS OBJECTIVES
1. Describe the sensitivity of fire behavior
model outputs to inputs using the surface
fire behavior nomograms.

2. Describe how the wildland fire behavior

prediction system can be used in fire
planning.
03-61-S390-VG
Page 1 of 3
 UNIT 3- FIRE BEHAVIOR
APPLICATIONS OBJECTIVES
3. Determine rate of spread, flame length, area,
perimeter, maximum spotting distance, and
probability of ignition for wildland fires in a variety
of fuel types.
4. Describe four methods to measure rate of spread
and two methods to estimate flame length.
5. List five reasons why the results of a fire behavior
prediction model may differ from the observed fire
behavior.

03-61-S390-VG
Page 2 of 3
 UNIT 3- FIRE BEHAVIOR
APPLICATIONS OBJECTIVES
6. Describe methods used to adjust fire behavior
predictions.
OPTIONAL
7. Determine crown fire potential for wildland fire
scenarios in a variety of fuel types.
Use Northern Rockies Crown Fire Nomogram to
calculate rate of spread and to estimate if the fire will
be wind-driven or plume-dominated.

03-61-S390-VG
Page 3 of 3
 THE END

his fine presentation brought to you by:

ector H. Madrid
reat Basin Training Unit
IFC-BLM Smokejumpers