Spread direction

n. The orientation of a fire front relative to a reference standard.

• Discussion

Spread direction is referenced in one of two ways. The preferred reference is with respect to (degrees clockwise from)  the direction of maximum spread. A fire front oriented in the direction of maximum spread is a head fire. Another method of referencing spread direction is with respect to true north.

• Units

   

  Spread direction is specified in degrees clockwise from the direction of maximum spread, or degrees clockwise from North.

   

• See Also

  • Direction of maximum spread

  • Fire front

  • Head fire

   

• Notes

  • Author 

    Joe Scott, Research Forester

    Systems for Environmental Management

     

  • Last update 

    August 2007