What is a flame front?

A flame front refers to the flaming leading edge of a combustion reaction zone. This is the area where the flame is actively propagating and where the combustion process occurs. In this region, fuel and oxidizer (typically oxygen from the air) are mixed together and react exothermically, producing heat and light.

Understanding the flame front is crucial in fire investigations because it marks the boundary between the unburned fuel and the reaction area where combustion is taking place. Investigators focus on this area to analyze patterns of fire spread, determine fire dynamics, and assess the behaviors of different materials involved in the combustion process. Recognizing the characteristics of the flame front helps in reconstructing the sequence of events during a fire incident, which is vital for determining the cause and origin of the fire.