Heat Transfer

Heat produced during combustion is transferred to other fuels, the soil, and the atmosphere primarily by convection, radiation, and conduction. As wildland fires spread, radiation and convection are the primary methods of heat transfer from one fuel to another, while conduction transfers heat within large pieces of fuel. Mass transport by spotting or fuels rolling downslope can also be an important means of heat transfer during intense fires. When water is present, heat transfer can also occur by vaporization.