Relationship Between Flame Length and Fireline Intensity
Authored By: D. Kennard
Estimating flame length from fireline intensity
The following equations can be used to estimate fireline intensity from flame length:
I = L2.174 / 0.00384863 or I = 259.833(L)2.174where:
- L = flame length (m)
- I = fireline intensity (kW/m)
The last equation is often simplified for field use as:
I = 300 L2The results of this simplified equation are within 20% accuracy of actual fireline intensity (Chandler et al. 1983), which is generally adequate considering it is difficult to estimate flame length to better than 20% accuracy (DeBano and others 1998). Numerous observations of flame length (minimum, maximum, and mode- or most frequently occurring flame length) should be considered with these equations (Wade 1986).
Estimating flame length from fireline intensity
The following equations can be used to estimate flame length from fireline intensity:
L = 0.0775 (I)0.46 or L = (I/259.833)0.46where:
- L = flame length (m)
- I = fireline intensity (kW/m)
For crown fires, half of the mean canopy height should be added to L.
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Literature Cited
- Chandler, C. 1983. Fire in forestry. v. 1. New York: Wiley. 300 p.
- DeBano,Leonard F.;Neary,Daniel G.;Ffolliott,Peter F. 1998. Fire ’s effects on ecosystems. New York,NY: John Wiley and Sons Inc. 333p p.
- Wade, D. D. 1986. Linking fire behavior to its effects on living plant tissue. In: Forests, the world, and the profession Proceeding: Society of american Foresters Annual Convention. Bethesda, MD: Society of American Foresters: 112-116.
Encyclopedia ID: p492
