A 3D physical real-time model of surface fires across fuel beds

International audience; This work presents a new modelling approach to the elaboration of a simple model of surface fire spread. This model runs more fastly than real-time and will be integrated in management tools. Up to now, models used in such tools have been based on empirical relationship. These tools may be efficient for conditions that are comparable to those of test-fires but the absence of a physical description makes them inapplicable to other situations. This paper proposes a physical 3D model of surface fire able to predict fire behaviour faster than real-time. This model is tested on experiments carried out across fuel beds under slope and wind conditions.