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09:27
Wind Tunnel Experiments to Study Chaparral Crown Fires
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Wildfire fuel heat transfer sensor.
Ginny A Marshall1,2, Rodman R Linn3, Dan K Thompson4
1Northern Forestry Centre, Natural Resources Canada, Edmonton, T6H 3S5, Canada. ginny.marshall@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.
Scientific Reports
|July 7, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a low-cost heat transfer sensor to measure wildfire dynamics. Coupled with a fine-wire thermocouple, it accurately captures radiative and convective heat transfer, improving wildfire spread understanding.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Fire Science
- Engineering
Background:
- Wildfire spread is driven by complex energy exchange between atmosphere, fire, and fuels.
- Radiation and convection are dominant heat transfer mechanisms, but their relative contributions are poorly understood due to measurement challenges.
- Accurate measurement of heat transfer is crucial for predicting wildfire behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a low-cost, deployable sensor and model for measuring heat transfer in wildfire environments.
- To improve the understanding of radiative and convective heat transfer dynamics during wildfire spread.
- To provide a tool for field and laboratory measurements of heat transfer relevant to fire science.
Main Methods:
- Designed a heat transfer sensor using stainless steel thermocouple probes of varying emissivity, mimicking fine fuel elements.
- Coupled the probes with a fine-wire thermocouple to enhance sensitivity for dynamic heat transfer measurements.
- Validated the sensor and model through field tests in high-intensity crown fires and laboratory experiments.
Main Results:
- Individual stainless steel probes were insufficient for resolving highly dynamic heat transfer.
- Coupling probes with a fine-wire thermocouple significantly improved measurement sensitivity.
- The sensor and model demonstrated capability in measuring realistic convective and radiative heat transfer compared to existing literature.
Conclusions:
- The developed sensor and model offer a viable method for measuring heat transfer in extreme fire environments.
- Further investigation and validation are necessary to address identified limitations and expand applicability.
- This technology has the potential to enhance wildfire modeling and management strategies.
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