Flank Fire

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Wildfire Knowledge Graph · Fire Behaviour

Working definition

A side portion of a wildfire located between the faster-moving head and the slower rear.

In plain language

Flanks often spread across the dominant direction of travel and can become new heads when wind or terrain changes.

Why it matters

Evacuation and response analysis must account for changing fire orientation rather than treating the perimeter as static.

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Tecnobosque explanation reviewed 12 September 2026. Source definitions are authoritative within their stated jurisdiction; the explanatory text above is an independent technical synthesis.