Evaluation of smoke dispersion from forest fire plumes using lidar experiments and modelling

The dispersion of forest fire smoke was studied using direct-detection lidar measurements and a Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes fluid dynamics model. Comparison between experimental and theoretical results showed that the model adequately describes the influence of the main factors affecting the dispersion of a hot smoke plume in the presence of wind, taking into consideration turbulent mixing, the influence of wind, and the action of buoyancy, and proved that lidar measurements are an appropriate tool for the semiqualitative analysis of forest fire smoke plume evolution and prediction of lidar sensitivity and range for reliable smoke detection. It was also demonstrated that analysis of lidar signals using Klett's inversion method allows the internal three-dimensional structure of the smoke plumes to be semiquantitatively determined and the absolute value of smoke-particle concentration to be estimated.