A Spread Model for Forest Fire Based on Computer Graphic Techniques

Two spread models frequently used for forest fire simulation, namely the contiguous cellular model and the wave propagation model, strongly complement each other in their advantages and disadvantages, this is utilized in this paper to design a spread model based on computer graphic techniques, assimilating the advantages of the former on the basis of the latter. The paper presents design scheme and implementation method of the new model, including solutions to topology relation and projection transformation. Its advantages and disadvantages on performance, including effect on local distortion and aberration of the fire line, are studied. By theoretical analysis and a case study, it is deduced that the new model greatly improves the performance of computer simulation for forest fire spread so that it can provide forest fire fighters with precise, overall diagrams of fire development in real time, unrestricted by complexities of fire behaviors or geographical elements.