Fireline intensity [Byram's fire intensity, Frontal fire intensity]

n. The rate of energy or heat release per unit length of fire front, regardless of its depth (Byram 1959).

• Discussion

Fireline intensity is synonymous with the terms “Byram's fire intensity” (Byram 1959) and “frontal fire intensity.” It is the numerical product of a fire's rate of spread, fuel consumption, and heat yield at a given point on a fire’s perimeter. Reaction intensity and total fire flux are examples of other measures of fire intensity.

• Units

   

  Preferred units for fireline intensity are kW/m in technical reports and papers. Fire Management in the United States still uses the English units BTU/(ft-s). See the following fireline intensity units conversion table for conversion factors.

   

• See Also

  • Fire front

  • Fire intensity

  • Fuel consumption

  • Heat

  • Rate of spread

   

• References

  • Byram, G.M. 1959. Combustion of forest fuels. In: Davis, K.P., ed. Forest fire: control and use. New York: McGraw Hill: 61–89.

   

• Notes

  • Author 

    Joe Scott, Research Forester

    Systems for Environmental Management

     

  • Last update 

    August 2007