1. General Model Information

Name: Interactive simulation of Bushfire spread

Acronym: IGNITE

Main medium: terrestrial
Main subject: biogeochemistry
Organization level: ecosystem
Type of model: 2D
Main application:
Keywords: fire simulation, landscape, cellular automata, bushfire, spatially distributed, nonhomogenous fuel

Contact:

Dr David G. Green
Research School of Biological Sciences
Australian National University
GPO Box 475 Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
Phone: 61-6-249-2490/61-6-249-5031/61-6-249-5111 (switch)
Fax : 61-6-249-4437
email: david.green@anu.edu.au

Author(s):

David G. Green

Abstract:

The program IGNITE, developed by the authors, is a landscape fire modelling system that deals with fires in heterogeneous fuels. Landscapes are represented as cellular automata (grids of pixels) and fire spread is modelled as an epidemic process. An integrated geographic information system permits the importing and editing of maps from compatible sources, such as satellite imagery. Maps, models and other information are organized as scenarios; historical fires can be recorded and replayed. Modules are being developed for application to fire prevention, fire suppression, land-use management, and to training and education. An illustration of using the system to deal with heterogeneous fuel is its application to the problem of percolation in patchy fuel.

II. Technical Information

II.1 Executables:

Operating System(s): download zipped executable for DOS

II.2 Source-code:

Programming Language(s):

II.3 Manuals:

II.4 Data:

III. Mathematical Information

III.1 Mathematics

III.2 Quantities

III.2.1 Input

III.2.2 Output

IV. References

Green, D.G., Tridgell, A. and Gill, A.M.
Interactive simulation of bushfires in heterogeneous fuels
1990
Mathematical and Computer Modelling 13(12), 57-66.

V. Further information in the World-Wide-Web

VI. Additional remarks

Information on running the model
Assumes EGA or VGA screen, MS-compatible mouse.To start, type GO at the prompt. This script starts the mouseSelect SCENARIO and LOAD, then select OK button to choose from list.Select BURN option to see fires burn, else select EDIT, then DRAW (. box) and fire colour (colour 31) and paint in fire.

The model uses the convention that the pixel value -1 denotes fire and -2 denotes burnt areas. Fires are started by selecting the fire colour from the palette and using the editor to mark ignition points.
Freely distributable, must acknowledge use & cite papers
Owing to lack of funding the design has not been
fully implemented, nor is the spread algorithm properly calibrated. Suitable for teaching/demonstration purposes.

Last review of this document by: T. Gabele: 12. 6. 1997 -
Status of the document:
last modified by Tobias Gabele Wed Aug 21 21:44:45 CEST 2002