Evaluation of FARSITE simulator in a Mediterranean area

Temporal and spatial variations of fire spread and behaviour can be predicted using one of the semi-physical or empirical models developed over recent years. The most common simulators (i.e., Behave and Farsite) are based on the Rothermel's original fire spread equation and describe fire spread as a function of relationships between fuels, terrain and weather conditions. The use of Farsite on areas different from those where the simulator was originally developed involves a local calibration to produce reliable results. The local calibration of Farsite requires the use of information provided by actual fires, and the choice of an appropriate standard or custom fuel model. The aim of this study was to analyse and compare the accuracy of Farsite simulations carried out in a Mediterranean area using different fuel models and meteorological input data. The study showed that a custom fuel model specifically designed for shrubland vegetation (maquis) provide more realistic values of rate of spread, when compared with predicted values obtained using standard fuel model. The use of both realistic wind field data and appropriate custom models seems to be essential to obtain reasonable simulations of fire behaviour on the different topographic and meteorological conditions that characterized the time steps of the actual fire. The study showed the capabilities of Farsite simulator during the typical drought season characterizing the Mediterranean climate, when most wild fires occur.