Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10316/103183
Title: Influence of Convectively Driven Flows in the Course of a Large Fire in Portugal: The Case of Pedrógão Grande
Authors: Pinto, Paulo
Silva, Álvaro Pimpão
Viegas, Domingos Xavier 
Almeida, Miguel 
Raposo, Jorge 
Ribeiro, Luís Mário 
Keywords: mesoscale convective system; discrete downbursts; convective overturning flow; rear-inflow jet; weather radar data; firestorm; pyroconvective plume
Issue Date: 2022
Project: FCT - “FireStorm: Meteorology and fire storm behavior” under the reference PCIF/GFC/0109/2017 
FCT - “SmokeStorm: Forecasting and communicating wildland fire smoke effects” under the reference PCIF/MPG/0147/2019 
Serial title, monograph or event: Atmosphere
Volume: 13
Issue: 3
Abstract: The influence of a mesoscale convective system (MCS) in the evolution of two wildfires that started during the afternoon of 17 June 2017 in Pedrógão Grande, Central Portugal is discussed and analysed using weather radar data, weather stations, video images and fire spread analysis. As the MCS approached the region, its convectively driven flows started to influence the fires. The overturning flows were formed by two main limbs: one organised as front-to-rear deep layer inflows that propagated over the convective region of the MCS and the other as rear-to-front mid-level inflows that descended below the anvil structure of the MCS. The rear-to-front inflows, while accelerating and descending to lower levels, contributed to modify the fires’ intensity and plume characteristics. After the two fires merged, the resulting junction fire became very intense and impossible to control. Then, a firestorm was generated, causing the deaths of 66 people. The main goal of this study is to detail the influence of the MCS in the fire spread, thus contributing to the general knowledge of outstanding fire behaviour modifications due to the influence of atmospheric convective processes.
URI: https://hdl.handle.net/10316/103183
ISSN: 2073-4433
DOI: 10.3390/atmos13030414
Rights: openAccess
Appears in Collections:I&D ADAI - Artigos em Revistas Internacionais

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