What is the process of air entrainment?

Air entrainment refers to the phenomenon where air or gases from the surrounding environment are drawn into a fire, plume, or jet. This process is crucial to the dynamics of fire behavior because the availability of oxygen directly influences the intensity and spread of the fire. When air is entrained into the fire, it mixes with the combustion products and fuels the fire, allowing it to burn more efficiently and with greater intensity. This is particularly relevant in scenarios involving flames, as the characteristics of the flame and the rate of combustion are affected by the amount of air that is entrained.

Effective air entrainment can also impact the thermal dynamics of the fire, potentially leading to different burn patterns and smoke production. Understanding this concept helps fire investigators analyze the characteristics of fire behavior and assess how fires spread in various environments.