The use of behaveplus to model the behavior and effects of fire

Abstract

This study objective is to evaluate the use of the BehavePlus software as a tool for fire management operations around the world. Literature search was performed for studies that use BehavePlus, analyzing the objectives of use, how the program was used,
the positive and negative points, and the main issues discussed. As a result of the analysis, it was recognized that, although the software is been commonly used by a great number of fire managers in the United States, most publications use it as a research tool and not as an operational tool. Because of the difficulties inherent to custom fuel models development, and the existence of studies confirming that the results generated by BehavePlus sometimes
differ from experimental results, its use is only recommended for people with experience in fire management operations, who are able to identify when the simulations are reliable.