A simulator of ignition and initial fire propagation at road-vegetation interfaces

Abstract

Most ignition points that propagate fires to French Mediterranean forests and woodlands are aggregated at the vicinity of roads networks and habitat. However, the flammability, ignitability and initial propagation specific to the road-forest interfaces are poorly known. We present here a cellular automaton which simulates the ignition and the spread of fi res at road-forest interfaces, using data of burning experiments in laboratory. Our results demonstrate the relative impact of vegetation composition, management practices, and spatial patterning of the interface on the probability of fire to ignite and propagate towards the interface. The main perspectives of this study are to grade a wide range of interfaces according to their fire hazard level, and to test the effectiveness of different management options for reducing wildfire risk towards forests.