Wildfire Systems Model | VariableVista

VariableVista Interactive Science Models

Set Conditions

Environment

1

Fire danger

Drought level

Temperature

Wind speed 15 mph

Calm Severe

Wind direction

Direction shows where the wind is blowing.

Calculated spread risk Moderate

Conditions support steady fire spread.

Build and Test

10 × 10 Landscape Grid

2

Ignition Burning Burned Barrier

Analyze Results

Live Data

3

Time steps 0

Active fires 0

Cells affected 0

Landscape burned 0%

Homes destroyed 0

Air quality 100

Ecosystem health 100

Investigation Prompt

How do wind, drought, temperature, and terrain affect the direction and rate of wildfire spread?

Controlled Trial Tip

Change only one condition between runs so you can compare results fairly.

Model Purpose

This simulation is a simplified system model designed to help students notice patterns, test variables, collect data, and explain cause-and-effect relationships.

Educational model limitation: This model simplifies wildfire behavior for classroom investigation. Real wildfire spread depends on fuel moisture, vegetation structure, weather changes, slope, firefighting activity, ember transport, local geography, and many other interacting conditions. It should not be used to predict an actual wildfire.