A Review and Analysis of the Most Characteristic Wildfire Spread Models

Abstract

Wildfire spread is one of the central issues in wildfire risk assessment, as it determines the spatial extent of the fire, the level of fire hazard, and the available options for suppression and mitigation. The basis of wildfire spread analysis lies in the elementary fire types, which can be described and quantified with relative simplicity. The study of fire spread focuses on the rate at which the fire front advances as a function of available fuels, meteorological conditions, and topography. Closely related to the rate of spread is fire intensity, which expresses the amount of energy released along the fire front and is commonly calculated using the Byram fire line intensity. Fire intensity provides a basis for estimating flame length, heat flux, and the feasibility of direct firefighting operations. However, the impacts of wildfires are not limited exclusively to the natural environment, as they frequently affect the built environment as well. The assessment of these impacts is addressed through the calculation of building loss potential, which integrates fire hazard with the exposure and vulnerability of structures. Building loss potential is of particular importance in residential areas located in close proximity to forested lands. This study systematically investigates the key factors identified as critically influencing wildfire spread by applying relevant and internationally established wildfire spread models. Beyond a comparative evaluation of these models, the paper also provides a detailed examination of the underlying computational approaches employed to quantify and predict fire propagation dynamics.