home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- /--------------------------------------------------------------------------/
- / FIRE v1.2: A simple forest fire model Oct., 1989 /
- / /
- / Copyright @ 1989 by Mike Purcell /
- / /
- / This program is freely redistributable as long as this and other /
- / identifying information remains intact. /
- /--------------------------------------------------------------------------/
-
- It is based the cover story of the July 15, 1989, Science News. It is a
- simple model of a forest fire. You give the model the following
- parameters:
-
- - Size of world: 10x10 to 175x175,
-
- - Percentage of world initially filled in with trees (use 30-60),
-
- - Maximum regrowth rate (use about 3x the world size),
-
- - Number of initial fires (use at least 10).
-
-
- Over time the fires merge, and sweep back and forth across the world.
- Although not representative of a real forest fire, it is a reasonable
- model for any process which consumes energy while being driven by an
- influx of energy (such as turbulence). Theory aside, it is enjoyable to
- watch its evolution.
-
-
- Press the space bar to pause at any time. Press it again to resume.
-
- Press 'Q' to stop the model. It then plots a history of the number of
- trees and the number of burning trees. Both plots are scaled according
- to their respective minimums and maximums. Only the first 600 generations
- are recorded.
-
- Press any key to terminate the history plot.
-
- Enjoy!
-
-
- Mike Purcell
-
-
-
- Changes to version 1.2:
-
- - Window refreshes correctly
-
- - Window closes without corrupting memory
-