About

MASIFIRE is a software for Map based Simulation of Fires in Forest-Urban Environment. MASIFIRE can be used for the simulation of fire spread in forests with surface and canopy vegetation, and the spreading of fire from the forest to buildings. The model includes the effects of fuel type, wind, moisture and the shape of the terrain. Model results include the fire spread, total heat release rate, production of toxic species and necessary evacuation area for people.

The fire spread algorithm is based on the BEHAVE model. The user interface and many of the algorithms have been implemented using Matlab.

Downloads

The current version is 1.0.3, released 2006-01-25. Two different packages are provided: Stand alone -version and Matlab script -version. Stand alone -version requires and includes the Matlab Component Runtime (MCR) package. The Matlab script -version can only be used with Matlab, version 7.

Currently, only Windows versions are provided.

masifire_mcr_install.exe (~103 Mio) This installer includes the Masifire stand alone version, Matlab component runtime, Masifire documentation, and the Matlab script files.

masifire_matlab_install.exe (~1.3 Mio) This installer includes the Masifire script files and documentation. The package has been created using Matlab R14 Service Pack 3. For compatibility with earlier versions, both .dll and .mexw32 -versions of the binary library functions have been included. The users of SP3 may delete the dlls from the MASIFIRE directory.

Documentation

MASIFIRE documentation is provided in the Reference and User's guide for version 1.0 (VTT Working papers 20, 2005), by Simo Hostikka and Johan Mangs..

Errata for the guide (VTT WP20)

• Page 17: The ignition radius R₂ corresponds to 0.001 ignitions/m², not 0.1 ignitions/m², as stated.

Changes

1.0.2 to 1.0.3

• Load terrain can load the altitude contours if map and terrain do not match.
• Dialog confirmation added if closing when workspace is unsaved.
• Bug fix: wind arrow of saved workspace
• Bug fix: altitude terrain show fixed and improved

1.0.1 to 1.0.2

• Map outline must now be accepted / rejected.

Copyrights and disclaimer

MASIFIRE 1.0.3: Copyright VTT, 2006
MASIFIRE 1.0.0: Copyright MATINE.
fireLib 1.01: Copyright 1996 Collin D. Bevins

MASIFIRE program has been developed at VTT, Espoo, Finland. It is free to use. VTT makes no warranty, expressed or implied, to users of MASIFIRE, and accepts no responsibility for its use.

The development of MASIFIRE has been financed by the Scientific Advisory Board for Defence (Maanpuolustuksen tieteellinen neuvottelukunta, MATINE).

Contact

If you have any questions or comments, send email to Simo Hostikka.

Last updated 2006-01-23.