Fire Behavior Prediction (FBP) or Canadian Forest Fire Behavior Prediction (FBP) is the Canadian model for estimating fire spread. It is a subsystem of the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System (CFFDRS) that predicts the rate and nature of wildfire spread in various Canadian fuel types.
Understanding the FBP System
The FBP System translates environmental conditions into quantitative predictions of fire behavior, answering critical operational questions:
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How fast will the fire spread?
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How intense will the fire be?
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How long will the flames be?
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What type of fire will occur (surface, intermittent crown, continuous crown)?
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How far will spotting occur?
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What resources will be needed to control it?
FBP vs. FWI: Understanding the Difference
Both systems work together but serve different purposes:
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Provides general fire danger ratings
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Calculates fuel moisture codes (FFMC, DMC, DC)
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Produces fire danger indices (ISI, BUI, FWI)
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Answers: "How dangerous are conditions?"
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Output: Numeric danger ratings (e.g., FWI = 25)
FBP
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Uses FWI outputs as inputs
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Predicts specific fire behavior
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Accounts for fuel types and topography
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Answers: "How will this fire behave?"
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Output: Spread rates, flame lengths, intensities