An overview of the FireFlux experiment

The FireFlux campaign was designed to collect in situ measurements of the wind and temperature fields associated with a fast moving, wind-driven grass fire. The experiment was conducted in a 150 acre tall grass coastal prairie and consisted of a head fire ignited upwind of instrumentation placed within and downwind of the fuel bed. Instrumentation used to measure the atmospheric interactions at the fire front included two micrometeorological towers (43 and 10 m in height) used to measure heat, water vapor and CO2 fluxes, two SODARS, radiosonde and tethersonde balloon systems, IR digital video and various digital photographic systems for time-lapse photography. Rate of spread was estimated to be between 0.7 to 1.3 m/s and ambient winds at 2 m AGL were 3-4 m/s. This paper will describe the theory, design, and goals of the FireFlux experiment that took place in Texas during February 2006. A discussion will also be presented on experience gained and failures of the experimental design. Preliminary results will be discussed as well as the planning and design of future experiments.