1. Analysis of Fire-Weather Data and Study of the Released Combustion Products from Forest Fires. Emphasis on the Health and Safety of Firefighters and Citizens on the Front Lines of Fires.
- Author
-
Iliopoulos, Nikolaos and Chalaris, Michail
- Subjects
- *
FIRE fighters , *FOREST health , *METEOROLOGICAL stations , *FIRE prevention , *HOUSING development , *FOREST fires , *COMBUSTION products - Abstract
Forest fires are a natural phenomenon that has concerned people for thousands of years and will naturally continue to exist in the years to come. The study of thermal intensity and the release of gaseous pollutants from large forest fires has gained great importance, due to the risks to human health and the increasing environmental problems of recent years. In order to limit the impacts, the application at the strategic, tactical and operational level of the estimates of forest fire simulation models and the release of air pollutants are imperative. The aim of the study is to predict the effects of the thermal intensity and the released combustion products of large forest fires. The study area is Greece, specifically the region of Attica, due to the large residential development that brings about a large number of agroforestry fires. Measurements from meteorological stations were used as tools for the study in collaboration with the Farsite forest fire behavior and pollutant release simulation model. This system allows quantitative estimations of front heat intensity and smoke concentration at the fire front for the safety and health of civilians acting as adjuncts as well as first responders working to suppress a forest fire. The simulations showed a positive correlation of wind intensity with the thermal intensity of the front as well as with the release of gaseous pollutants. Therefore, the system provides excellent decision-making support for the safety and health of personnel (first responders and civilians), from on-duty officers and forest fire fighters at strategic, tactical and operational levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF