FireStation — an integrated software system for the numerical simulation of fire spread on complex topography

A software system aimed at the simulation of fire spread over complex topography is presented. The software implements a semi-empirical model for fire rate of spread, which takes as input local terrain slope, parameters describing fuel properties as well as the wind speed and direction. Fire shape is described with recourse to an ellipse-type model. Two different models are implemented for the simulation of the wind field. Both these models predict wind velocity and direction based on local observation taken at meteorological stations. The whole system was developed under a graphical interface, aiming at a better ease of use and output readability so as to facilitate its application under operational conditions. This work describes the mathematical models employed, provides an overview of the graphical interface and presents the results of some simulations tested against experimental data.