Toward a Comprehensive Wildfire Spread Model

The mathematical structure of a model of a spreading wildfire which includes chemical kinetic effects, as well as heat transfer, is outlined in general terms. Reference to a simple example which has been intensively studied demonstrates some of the salient features. A more realistic example and its analysis is also presented. One key feature of the more realistic models is the prediction of conditions under which a fire will not bum. The coupling of these models with further fire chemistry studies is promising for physical models of wildfire spread. Elliptical fire shapes arise as the solution of the proposed equations in two dimensions.