Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María studies wildfire heat impact on homes

Academic Gonzalo Severino of the Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María (USM) is leading a research project to understand how thermal radiation from forest fires affects houses and structures, even without direct contact with flames.

Funded by the National Agency for Research and Development (ANID) through a Fondecyt grant, the study, titled “Towards a better understanding of the radiative characteristics of flames produced with forest fuels,” examines radiation from various solid fuels found in urban-wildland interfaces, such as wood, pine needles, and leaves.

Researchers are using small-scale laminar flow flames, cameras, heat flow sensors, and non-intrusive optical techniques to analyze variables like temperature and soot concentration. The goal is to improve predictive models for thermal impact and enhance risk assessment in areas where urban developments meet vegetation.