What is fire behavior?

The term fire behavior is used to describe the magnitude, direction, and intensity of fire spread. The magnitude is measured as the velocity, in m/s, of the leading edge of the flaming portion of the fire. The direction is measured as the bearing of the leading edge of the fire and will vary from 0 to 360 degrees. Finally, the intensity is measured as the energy released from the fire per unit area, in J/m². A fire which spreads rapidly and releases a large amount of energy is sometimes referred to as a conflagration or firestorm. Fires burning through Southern California chaparral can display this type of behavior. Fires which spread rapidly, but with low intensity, are sometimes referred to as flashy. Fires burning through grass, which lacks the biomass of chaparral, are often described in this way. A fire which spreads neither rapidly nor with great intensity is referred to as a creeping fire. Typically, a fire spreading downslope without the assistance of the wind is describd in this way.