University of Idaho’s fire lab in Moscow is working on a project to study the spread of wildfires and find ways to reduce their damage. Students in the engineering capstone program are using an innovative ember generator, the Dragon 2.0, to simulate fires started by embers and study their impact. The new model improves on previous versions, allowing for a more controlled and efficient simulation process.
The Dragon 2.0 is capable of creating an “ember storm” for sustained burns, making it a valuable tool for studying wildfires. Researchers hope that the generator can help developers build fire-resistant structures by understanding how embers can start fires and spread. With wildfires causing extensive damage in Idaho and Eastern Oregon, the need for better fire prevention methods is urgent.
The project has gained interest from the U of I’s Experimental Forest, where the generator could be tested in real-world settings to understand how embers cause fires. The goal is to continue refining the Dragon 2.0 to increase education, research, and understanding of wildfires. By studying how fires start and spread, researchers hope to develop better strategies for fire prevention and mitigation.
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