Wind adjustment factor

n. The ratio of mid-flame wind speed to open wind speed.

 

  • Discussion

 

A wind adjustment factor is used to estimate mid-flame wind speed when only open wind speed is known. Multiply the open wind speed by the wind adjustment factor to estimate mid-flame wind speed. Wind adjustment factor can be estimated using operational guidelines (Rothermel 1983) or using a mathematical model (Albini and Baughman 1979).

 

  • Units

     

    Wind adjustment factor is a dimensionless ratio.

     

  • References

    • Albini, F. A.; Baughman, R. G. 1979. Estimating windspeeds for predicting wildland fire behavior. Res. Pap. INT-221. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 12 p.

    • Rothermel, R.C. 1983. How to predict the spread and intensity of forest and range fires. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-143. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station.

     

     

  • See Also

  • Notes

    • Author 

      Joe Scott, Research Forester

      Systems for Environmental Management