Improved Fire Growth Modeling

Abstract

Recent developments in the use of GIs for spatial dynamic modeling has resulted in improved fire growth simulations. This paper examines previous growth models and some of their weaknesses. We then define what would be required to handle the growth of surface fire within a raster based GIS program. The paper discusses the requirements for the algorithm needed to model fire growth and how this algorithm is implemented using the PROMAP GIS modeling extensions. Examples are given of fire growth simulation using predefined conditions. The need for further testing of actual fires is discussed.