Welcome to FireModels.org

The fire behavior and fire danger systems described on FireModels.org are public domain and most can be downloaded from this site. They are designed to be used by fire and land managers who have training and fire experience. Some require spatial databases. WFAS is an internet-based system that provides fire danger maps that can be viewed by the general public as well as by land managers. An overview of each system is given below.

National Systems are supported by U.S Forest Service Fire and Aviation Management. The researchers and contractors who developed them continue to be involved. Research Systems are in the development, testing, and evaluation stage, involving researchers at the Missoula Fire Sciences Lab. Beta versions of the research systems may be available for testing. For additional information on a specific system, please see the appropriate web page (accessed via the main menu at the top of the page).

These systems are a result of a productive cooperative effort on the part of:

• U.S. Forest Service
  • Fire, Fuel, and Smoke Science Program, Missoula Fire Sciences Lab, Rocky Mountain Research Station
  • Forest Service Fire and Aviation Management
  • Pacific Southwest Region,
  • Pacific Southwest Research Station
  • Northern Research Station
  • Wildland Fire Research Development and Applications, Rocky Mountain Research Station
• U.S. Department of Interior
  • National Park Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
• Joint Fire Science Program
• Systems for Environmental Management
• Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands, Colorado State University
• Department of Mechanical Engineering, Brigham Young University

National Fire Behavior Systems

The following fire behavior systems are based on essentially the same mathematical fire models, are complementary, and are suited to different fire management needs. Please view the Fire Behavior System Comparison Table for details on general similarities and differences. Fire behavior systems produce specific elements of a fire (spread rate, perimeter, flame length, scorch height, etc.) whereas fire danger systems produce indices.

• BehavePlus fire modeling system

  PC program Modeling of fire behavior, fire effects, and fire environment Interactive user input Uniform conditions for each calculation Table, graph, and diagram output Used for basic fire modeling understanding, prescribed fire planning, fuel hazard assessment, predicting wildfire behavior, etc.

• FlamMap fire mapping and analysis system

  PC program Potential fire behavior across the landscape Spatial fuel and terrain data needed Weather and fuel moisture constant for a run Minimum travel time and other options available Used for fuel hazard assessment, placement of fuel treatment projects, and more

• FARSITE fire area simulator

  PC program Fire growth simulation Spatial fuel and terrain data needed Weather and fuel moisture change with time Used to project fire growth of ongoing fires and hypothetical fires for planning, and more

National Fire Danger Systems

The U.S. National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) produces indices such as Energy Release Component (ERC) that indicate the potential for fire activity. (There is not a computer program called NFDRS.)

• FireFamilyPlus

  PC program Uses archived weather and fire data Analysis of fire weather and fire danger indices Used to set threshold levels for fire management actions, such as forest restrictions, and more

• WFAS, Wildland Fire Assessment System

  Internet-based system, http://www.wfas.net Uses weather data from 1800 fire weather stations, forecast models, and satellite data National and regional maps of fire danger Used to assess the current state of the fire season, and more

Research Systems Under Development

As new research is completed, results will be incorporated into fire behavior and fire danger systems.

• WindWizard

  No longer available PC software under development Gridded wind model that reflects the effect of topography Not a forecast model Uses general wind speed and direction scenarios Used by FlamMap and FARSITE

• WindNinja

  PC software under development Gridded wind model that reflects the effect of topography Faster computation than WindWizard, but less accurate Uses general wind speed and direction scenarios Used by FlamMap and FARSITE, GIS, and soon FSPro

• FireStem

  PC test program is available Based on fundamental thermodynamics and heat transfer effects on cambium Additional species are being studied

Research and Development Continues...

• Links among these systems and with others are being improved.
• Additional publications and training material are being developed.
• Improved mathematical models will be incorporated as they become available.
• The long-term plan is for a redesign with common user interfaces.