Developing Rapid Response Instrumentation Packages to Quantify Structure Ignition Mechanisms in Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fires.
Developing Rapid Response Instrumentation Packages to
Quantify Structure Ignition Mechanisms in Wildland-Urban
Interface (WUI) Fires.
(356 K)
Manzello, S. L.; Park, S. H.; Cleary, T. G.; Shields, J.
R.
Fire and Materials 2009. 11th International Conference.
Conference Papers. Proceedings. Organised by
Interscience Communications Limited. January 26-28,
2009, San Francisco, CA, Interscience Communications
Limited, London, England, 215-224 pp, 2009.
Keywords:
wildland urban interface; instruments; ignition;
structures; heat flux; wind velocity; humidity; fire
spread; wildland fires; time; temperature; wind
direction; prescribed burnings
Abstract:
Rapidly deployable instrumentation packages are being
developed to be used during actual WUI fires to quantify
structure ignition mechanisms. The packages are being
designed to be placed near a given structure in the WUI
and will provide video imaging of a structure at
different vantage points as well as quantitative data on
heat flux, wind speed, and relative humidity. Prior to
attempting to use these instrumentation packages in real
WUI fires, a series of proof-of-concept tests were
conducted under prescribed fires. In these tests, a shed
was used as a surrogate for a typical structure that
would be found in the WUI. This presentation will focus
on instrumentation package development and results from
a recent deployment in a prescribed fire at Stafford
Forge Wildlife Management Area in the State of New
Jersey.
