Generalization of the fire line rotation model to curved fire lines

The concept of fire line rotation was applied to curved fire line elements like those of a point ignition fire in a slope or in a wind field. Convective effects induced by the fire modify the shape of the flame around its perimeter and affect the propagation of the fire front. From the analysis of laboratory experiments under wind or slope conditions, the existence of a rotation movement of the fire line elements is demonstrated. It is also shown that the semi-empirical law developed for straight lines is applicable with some adjustments to curved fire lines. © IAWF 2006.