ForeFire

ForeFire is an open-source wildfire simulation engine written in C++. Developed by CNRS at the Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement (LSCE), it serves both research and operational forecasting purposes. This engine implements various fire behavior models and enables high-fidelity coupled fire-atmosphere simulations, aiming to improve wildfire prediction and understanding for complex environments. Its design focuses on providing a robust and flexible platform for studying fire behavior under diverse conditions, from local spread dynamics to regional atmospheric interactions.

The core C++ logic provides an advanced simulation engine for fire propagation, utilizing diverse Rate of Spread (ROS) models. It is specifically designed to handle complex geospatial data, with explicit support for the NetCDF format, which is crucial for integrating environmental datasets. A key feature is its capability for fire-atmosphere coupling, allowing for two-way interactions by linking the core library with sophisticated atmospheric models such as Meso-NH, developed by CNRS & Météo-France. This coupling is essential for accurately modeling the feedback between fire and local weather patterns.

Optimized for high performance, the C++ core includes MPI (Message Passing Interface) support, making it suitable for demanding computational tasks and large-scale simulations. This robust framework contributes significantly to enhancing the accuracy and scope of wildfire prediction, particularly in challenging geographical and atmospheric conditions where traditional models may fall short. ForeFire provides a valuable tool for researchers and forecasters to better comprehend and mitigate the impacts of wildland fires.