Field Experiment Design for Fire Behavior Research: Current State and Future Needs

Recent advancements in wildfire modeling and prediction systems and the development of tools for fire management decisions require new datasets for validation of these new forecast tools. Over the last 20 years, a number of field experiments have been conducted to address the need for model validation and improve our understanding of fundamental processes in wildfire behavior. These field experiments have ranged in spatial size from the plot scale, 10 m x10 m to 100 m to 100 m, to field scale, 100 m to 1000 m, and the event scale, 10's of kms. These studies have leveraged the use of new meteorological measurement systems such as Doppler lidar and radar and micrometeorological sensors including sonic anemometry to sample, in situ, the circulations close to fire fronts. Additionally, these field studies have also integrated aircraft for sampling smoke and measuring fire behavior using infrared imaging systems. Over the last decade, fire field studies have become more integrated with multiple disciplines participating resulting in an interdisciplinary approach to measuring the fire environment including fire meteorology, smoke and air quality, fire behavior, fire ecology and fire effects. Furthermore, with the advancements in drone platforms and improved sensor designs, new capabilities are becoming increasingly available for improved sampling of fire-atmosphere interactions at multiple scales. This presentation will summarize key field campaigns at each scale and discuss the development and needs of next-generation field programs required for improving wildland fire research.