Numerical Modelling of Coupled Wind, Wildfire Spread and Smoke Dispersion: From Mathematical Formulation to Operational Integration
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This contribution presents a coupled numerical framework for the simulation of wind dynamics, wildfire spread, and smoke dispersion in complex terrain, addressing a highly challenging multiphysics problem in environmental engineering. The approach combines three physically-based yet computationally efficient models: a high-resolution wind field model based on asymptotic approximations of the Navier–Stokes equations, a simplified physical model for wildfire spread formulated through conservation laws, and a multilayer Eulerian atmospheric dispersion model adapted to simulate smoke transport. The numerical coupling strategy enables the computation of a 3D wind field over complex topography, providing consistent input for both fire propagation and smoke dispersion at multiple spatial scales. The models are implemented using a finite element formulation optimized for parallel computation, allowing real-time or faster-than-real-time simulations depending on the domain size and resolution. Beyond the mathematical formulation and numerical implementation, the framework has been extended toward operational use through its integration into a GIS-based environment, enabling data preprocessing and result visualization for non-expert users. Several case studies corresponding to real wildfire events are presented to assess the behaviour of the coupled system and to illustrate the relevance of the proposed numerical techniques.
