WILDFIRE: LATEST LEARNINGS- v01.6

WILDFIRE: LATEST LEARNINGS

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General learning outcome:

SPECIFIC FIRE BEHAVIOUR:

Specific learning outcome:

Vorticity-driven Lateral Spread is a major factor in rugged landscapes.

Topic:

The process of Vorticity-driven Lateral Spread, and the setting within which it forms.

Operational Awareness for Advanced Firefighters & Fire Behaviour Analysts


On windy days with low fuel moisture levels in rugged terrain there is a real risk of Vorticity-driven Lateral Spread on lee-slopes. If a headfire or fire flank enters a lee-slope, the following will be seen, and operations staff should be alert for these signs:
  • A dense column of orange and black smoke will form just over the ridgetop.
  • This column will move sideways away from the main fire.
  • Spotfires will start downwind of that column.
This is a trigger for a Red Flag Warning (Fire Channelling event}.
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This website is dedicated to bringing forward the latest research findings. They are provided to allow firefighters to be made aware of critical safety issues ahead of the material being included in the national training curriculum.
Material prepared by Rick McRae for AFAC Research Dissemination Pilot Study, March 2012.