This module provides a comprehensive overview of the three main dimensions of the fire environment triangle: fuels, topography, and weather. Five interactive case studies illustrate the interdependent influences these three dimensions have on fire behavior. A wide range of fire behavior is also discussed in terms of the environmental factors that support or suppress fire ignition and spread. As part of the Advanced Fire Weather Forecasters Course, this module is meant to introduce forecasters to science of fire behavior.
1. Identify key factors contributing to the fuels dimension of the fire environment triangle, including fuel properties, components, complexes, states, moisture levels, and continuity.
2. Identify key factors contributing to the topography dimension of the fire environment triangle, including slope, aspect, elevation, and soil moisture.
3. Identify key factors contributing to the weather dimension of the fire environment triangle, including temperature, humidity, winds, and instability.
4. Given a case situation including descriptions of fuels, topography, and weather, identify the fire behavior most likely to occur.
fire behavior, fire environment triangle, fire ingredients, fuel properties, fuel components, fuel complex, fuel model, fuel moisture, dead fuel moisture, live fuel moisture, fuel continuity, fuel size, fine fuels, heavy fuels, fire propagation, fire spread, inactive fire, active fire, soil moisture, fire weather, crown fire, independent fire spread
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