#  Predicting Escalation of Fires, according to the Whitesides Group 

 





April 06, 2015

 

 

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A critical point in the progression of fires has been modeled by the [Whitesides group](http://gmwgroup.harvard.edu/) in a recent edition of [PNAS](http://www.pnas.org/content/112/8/2378.abstract) and reported in the [Harvard Gazette](http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2015/04/when-flames-attack/?utm_source=SilverpopMailing). "Warning Signals for Eruptive Events in Spreading Fires” examines the behavior of slow (structured) or fast (unstructured) flames along nitrocellulose strips when encountered by perturbations, concluding that the phenomenon called “critical slowing down” precedes blowups. These findings may result in safer and more effective practices by fire response teams.



 

 

 



 

 

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