United States

Department

of Agriculture

Forest Service

Rocky Mountain

Research Station

General Technical Report 

RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised

July, 2008

BehavePlus

fire modeling system

Version 4.0

User’s Guide

Patricia L. Andrews

Collin D. Bevins

Robert C. Seli
Abstract

Andrews, Patricia L.; Bevins, Collin D.; Seli, Robert C. 2008. BehavePlus fire modeling system, version 4.0: 

User's Guide. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. Ogden, UT: Department of Agriculture, Forest 

Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 116p.

This publication has been revised to reflect updates made to version 3 of the BehavePlus software, it was 

originally published as the BehavePlus fire modeling system, version 2.0 User’s Guide in June, 2003

The BehavePlus fire modeling system is a program for personal computers that is a collection of mathematical 

models that describe fire and the fire environment. It is a flexible system that produces tables, graphs, and 

simple diagrams. It can be used for a multitude of fire management applications including projecting the behavior 

of an ongoing fire, planning prescribed fire, and training. BehavePlus is the successor to the BEHAVE fire 

behavior prediction and fuel modeling system. Primary modeling capabilities include surface fire spread and 

intensity, crown fire spread and intensity, safety zone size, size of point source fire, fire containment, spotting 

distance, crown scorch height, tree mortality, wind adjustment, and probability of ignition. The User's Guide 

describes operation of the program. Other papers describe the models and application of the system. 

Keywords

Fire behavior, fire spread, fire intensity, computer program

The Authors

Patricia L. Andrews is a Research Physical Scientist at the Fire Sciences Laboratory in Missoula, MT. She received 

a B.A. degree in mathematics and chemistry from Montana State University, Billings in 1970, an M.A. degree in 

mathematics and computer science in 1973, and a Ph.D. in Forestry in 2005 from the University of Montana, 

Missoula. She has been at the Fire Sciences Laboratory since 1973, serving as Project Leader of the Fire 

Behavior Research Work Unit from 1991 to 1996.

Collin D. Bevins is Director of Systems for Environmental Management, a Missoula, MT, nonprofit research and 

educational organization founded in 1977. Collin earned a B.A. degree from Carleton College, Northfield, MN 

in 1974, and an M.S. degree in forestry, University of Washington, Seattle, 1975.

Robert C. Seli is a Forester at the Fire Sciences Laboratory in Missoula, MT. He was previously a District Fire 

Management Officer on the Lolo National Forest, a Silviculturist on the Nezperce National Forest, and received 

a B.S. degree in forestry from North Carolina State University in 1974.

Acknowledgments

Funding for development of the BehavePlus program and supporting material was provided by the Joint Fire 

Science Program; US Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Behavior Research Work Unit; 

USDA Forest Service, Fire and Aviation Management, Washington D.C.; and Systems for Environmental 

Management.

Program development and supporting material was done primarily through contracts #53-0343-7-0020 and 

#53-0343-0-0011 with Systems for Environmental Management (SEM).

The following SEM people contributed to the project: Collin Bevins (program design and development), Deb 

Tirmenstein (program testing, document review and editing), Faith Ann Heinsch (tutorial development), Don 

Carlton (version 1 User's Guide and online help system), Joe Scott (online help and supporting material for the 

fire models added in versions 2 & 3), Mark Finney (supporting material for the fire models added in version 3) 

and Miguel Cruz (Portuguese translation for the 'language' option in version 3).

Other contributors include Rob Seli (tutorial development, editing, online help, and program testing), and Pat 

Andrews (project manager, system design, program testing, and tutorial development), Tobin Kelly (tutorial 

development), and Dave Custer (version 2 tutorial editing and formatting).

Software technical support is provided by US Forest Service, Fire and Aviation Management, National Systems 

Support Group, Boise, ID.
Cover Art

 "WILDFIRE" (C) 1992, an original acrylic painting by Monte Dolack. Trumpeter swans take refuge in the air as 

a threatening wildfire rages through the forest habitat. This image is from a 29" x 24" poster commissioned by 

the National Wildfire Foundation and used here by permission of the artist.

All images used in BehavePlus and its associated manuals and training materials are from original works by 

Monte Dolack and appear by permission of the artist.

Preface

This User's Guide explains how to use the BehavePlus fire modeling system software. Other papers will 

describe the models incorporated into the system and application of the predictions.

This is an RMRS online publication. It can be downloaded from the Rocky Mountain Research Station 

publications web page, http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/main/pubs/electronic.html

You can download this User's Guide and the BehavePlus program from the BehavePlus web site, http://

firemodels.org

This User's Guide is also an integral part of the BehavePlus system, serving as online help.

This publication has been revised from its original June, 2003 release. It will continue to be updated as features 

and modeling capabilities are added to the program.

The BehavePlus system is supported by 

US Forest Service

National Fire and Aviation Management Information Systems Team

3833 S. Development Avenue

Boise, ID 83705

(800) 253-5559 or (208) 387-5290

fire_help@fs.fed.us

What’s New

Version 4.0 adds modeling capabilities and features to version 3. A summary of changes can be found in the 

Appendix.

The use of trade or firm names in this publication is for reader information and does not imply

 endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture of any product or service.
This page left blank on purpose.
USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 i

Table of Contents

1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

2. Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

2.1. Organization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

2.2. Design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

2.3. Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

2.4. Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

2.5. Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

2.6. Menus and Toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

3. Worksheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

3.1. Worksheet layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

3.2. Example Worksheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

3.3. Worksheet Sections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

3.4. Loading a previously saved Worksheet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

3.5. The 0Startup Worksheet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

3.6. Changing a Worksheet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

3.7. Saving a Worksheet or a Run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

3.8. Setting a Startup Worksheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

4. Modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

4.1. Input options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

4.2. Output Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

5. Entering input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

5.1. Shaded text boxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

5.2. Direct entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

5.3. Input Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

5.4. Linked input variables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

6. Table output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

6.1. Single value calculation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

6.2. Table output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

6.3. Two way tables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

6.4. Table appearance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

6.5. Multiple pages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

7. Table Shading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

7.1. Activating the Table Shading Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

7.2. Entering Acceptable Fire Conditions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

7.3. Viewing Results. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

8. Graph output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

8.1. Single variable graph. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

8.2. Two variable graph. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

8.3. Axis scales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

8.4. Graph appearance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

8.5. Number of curve points. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

9. Diagram output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

9.1. Wind/slope/spread direction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

9.2. Fire characteristics chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

9.3. Shape of a point source fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

9.4. Containment shape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

10. View, print, & capture results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
 BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide

ii USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008

10.1. View size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

10.2. Pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

10.3. Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

10.4. Print . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

10.5. Saving Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

11. Error checking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

12. Fuel models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

12.1. 53 Standard fire behavior fuel models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

12.2. Palmetto-Gallberry special case fuel model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

12.3. Western Aspen special case fuel model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

12.4. Dynamic fuel models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

12.5. Custom fuel models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

13. Moisture scenarios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

13.1. Using previously saved moisture scenarios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

13.2. Defining and saving moisture scenarios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

14. Map applications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

14.1. Slope from map measurements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

14.2. Map distances. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

15. Units and Decimals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

15.1. English or metric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

15.2. Custom units set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

15.3. Number of decimal places. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

16. Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

16.1. Fine Dead Fuel Moisture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

16.2. Relative Humidity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

16.3. Units Converter Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

16.4. Ground vs horizontal map distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

16.5. Sun-Moon Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

17. File management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

17.1. Workspaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

17.2. Load a Worksheet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

17.3. Load a Run. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

17.4. Save as... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

17.5. Deleting Files & Folders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

17.6. Export Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

18. Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

18.1. Browser pane help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

18.2. Guide button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

18.3. User's Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

18.4. Variables paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Appendix: Version Comparison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 1

1. Introduction

The BehavePlus fire modeling system is a PC-based program that is a 

collection of models that describe fire and the fire environment. It is a 

flexible system that produces tables and graphs and can be used for a multitude of fire management applications. 

BehavePlus is the successor to the BEHAVE fire behavior prediction and fuel modeling system (Andrews 1986, 

Andrews and Chase 1989, Burgan and Rothermel 1984, Andrews and Bradshaw 1990). It is called the 

BehavePlus fire modeling system to reflect its expanded scope (Andrews 2007, Andrews and Bevins 1999).

This document describes only the operation of the BehavePlus program. The fire models and their application 

are described elsewhere.

Many of the fire models in BehavePlus are the same as those in the FARSITE fire area simulator (Finney 1998) 

and the FlamMap fire behavior mapping and analysis system (Finney 2006). Each system meets a different need. 

Shown below are example outputs from each.

Sample table, graph, and diagram output from BehavePlus:
Introduction BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide

2 USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008
BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide Introduction

USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 3

Sample fire perimeter output from FARSITE:

Sample landscape fire potential output from FlamMap:
Introduction BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide

4 USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008

Version 1.0 of BehavePlus was based primarily on the same fire models that composed the old BEHAVE system. 

Development focus was initially on a new look and feel for the program. This paper describes version 4.0, which 

provides additional models and features. A summary of changes to version 3.0 is given in the Appendix.

The primary modeling capabilities of BehavePlus, version 4.0, include 

• Surface fire spread and intensity

• Safety zone size

• Size of a point source fire

• Fire containment

• Spotting distance

• Crown scorch height

• Tree mortality

• Probability of ignition from fire brands or from lightning

• Transition from surface to crown fire

• Crown fire spread

Other modeling capabilities include

• Tables for fine dead fuel moisture 

• Tables for relative humidity or dew point

• Standard and custom fuel models

• Three methods for weighting two fuel models: two-dimensional expected spread, harmonic mean, area 

weighted 

Key features include

• Diagrams for point source fire shape, shape of a contained fire, fire characteristics chart, wind / slope / fire 

directions

• Shading of table output for acceptable fire conditions

• Distances in map units

• User control of input options and output variables

• Description of each input and output variable

• User control of units and number decimal places displayed

• Multiple values can be entered for almost any input variable
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USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 5

The help system is an important part of the BehavePlus system. This User's Guide is available with the program 

for help on operation of the program. In addition, a help browser is available in the dialog boxes providing 

immediate information on specific operations and definition of input and output variables as shown below. 

Variable descriptions and input/output tables are also available in a Adobe Acrobat document that is part of the 

help system. That paper (Andrews, 2008) is referred to as the “Variables paper” in this User’s Guide.
Introduction BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide

6 USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008

This page blank on purpose.
USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 7

2. Operation

This User's Guide addresses only operation of the program. The fire 

models, associated variables, and application are described elsewhere.

2.1. Organization

Organization of material on Operation of the BehavePlus program is different from the organization of the 

program itself. It is designed to help you find the answer to a question. Most users are comfortable with looking 

at menus and dialog boxes and associated information in the program without use of a User's Guide.

This is not a step-by-step operation manual, but a reference guide. The tutorials provide step-by-step 

instructions.

In describing operation of the program, we use the following font and/or conventions in describing menus, 

commands, buttons, tabs, and check boxes:

Configure > Module selection > SURFACE > Options... > Fuel & Moisture > fuel models radio 

button.

For example the sequence of menus, commands, check boxes, buttons, and tabs shown above refers to the 

following actions in BehavePlus:

Each of the above elements would be described in this User’s Guide as

1. Configure menu

2. Module selection command

3. SURFACE check box

4. Options... button

5. Fuel & Moisture tab

6. fuel models radio button
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8 USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008

Other elements used in BehavePlus include

7. Spin box - select the value using the buttons or enter a value from the keyboard,

8. Text box - click inside the box to enter values from the keyboard,

9. Drop-down list - Choose the value from the list displayed with the button.

In the interest of saving space and improving readability, we include screen captures of only the portion of 

concern.

2.2. Design

2.2.1. Page Oriented

BehavePlus is meant to be more than just a fire modeling tool. It is meant to be a lesson book with a built-in 

training manual, and a planning tool whose results may be incorporated into management reports. It is meant to 

be a fire behavior assessment aid whose tables and graphs can be shared with others in briefings and in written 

documentation.

Because of these expectations, the BehavePlus user interface is designed around the concept of the standard 8.5 

x 11 printed page.

Given input information BehavePlus can generate documentation, diagrams, tables, and graphs. Fortunately, 

BehavePlus has a variety of methods for saving and displaying your work. Six months later when you need to 

review the work, the What, How, and Why of each Run is considerably less obscure than it would have been 

otherwise.

The page on which you enter input information appears first (page 1) and is called the Worksheet. A complex 

Worksheet may span several pages. Once the Calculate button is pressed, BehavePlus generates additional 

pages containing output tables, graphs, and diagrams. These too are deigned to fit neatly on the printed page. 

Navigation buttons on the Tool Bar let you move to the first page, last page, next page, or previous page. The 
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USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 9

Pages menu lets you jump directly to any diagram, table, or graph. The “Print” dialog box lets you print 

selected pages.

2.2.2. Highly Configurable

BehavePlus is a repository of many mathematical models related to fire behavior and effects. These models may 

have alternate input sets and can produce many output variables. Individual models may be linked together so 

that outputs from one module automatically become inputs for another module. Input and output variables may 

have user-specified units of measure. Outputs may be in the form of diagrams, tables, and/or graphs.

BehavePlus may be used for fire behavior training, for fire planning, or for real-time fire behavior assessment. It 

may be used to assess fire behavior, fire effects, and the link between them.

2.2.3. Self Documenting

Configurability must be balanced with complexity. The input Worksheet automatically documents all Modules in 

use, all input variables and units of measure, all output variables and units of measure, and pertinent notes on 

the current configuration. The Worksheet also allows you to enter a Run description (and possibly additional 

training or fire incident information) and offers a notes field for free-field entry of expository text.

2.2.4. User Manual and Help

The Guide Button next to each entry field opens a dialog box containing a help browser pane with valid 

inputs. The help browser pane describes input and output variables and program operation with tables, 

photographs, and figures to help you select inputs. Variable descriptions with input and output tables are also 

available in a Adobe Acrobat document by selecting the Help > Variable Help command.

In addition, this User’s Guide is available as part of BehavePlus with the Help > User’s Guide command. 

2.2.5. Not Boring

Finally, every attempt has been made to keep BehavePlus from becoming yet another boring program with a 

gray personality. If you prefer you can eliminate the pictures for the entire session by clearing the Show 

picture pane check box on the Configure > Appearance preferences > Application tab.
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You can also choose to show the art work or not in the dialog boxes with the Picture check box

2.2.6. Borders

The border color and thickness on the Worksheet and output pages can be 

changed on the Configure > Appearance preferences > 

Application tab using the Border Color drop-down list and the Border 

Width spin box. The border can be eliminated by entering a Border 

Width of 0.

2.3. Features

2.3.1. Fire Models

A listing of the fire models in BehavePlus, with citations, is given in Andrews (2007) and in the Variables paper 

(Andrews 2008), which is available by selecting the Help > Variable Help command.

BehavePlus contains models to estimate

• Surface fire rate of spread, intensity, and flame length

• Direction of maximum spread

• Wind adjustment factor

• Rate of spread through two fuel models

• Crown fire spread rate, critical thresholds, and fire type

• Safety zone size

• Point source fire shape, area, and perimeter

• Success or failure of suppression resources to build line around a fire

• Spotting distance from a burning pile, from torching trees, or a wind-driven surface fire

• Crown scorch height

• Fire-induced tree mortality

• Probability of fire ignition from firebrands or from lightning
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USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 11

2.3.2. Operation

BehavePlus has the following operational features:

• Multiple Worksheets may be open at one time.

• Worksheets may be overlaid, tiled, cascaded, and resized.

• Modules (collections of related fire models) may be individually toggled on/off.

• Modules may have alternate input options available through the Configure > Module selection > 

Options... > Input Options tab.

• Module output variables can be selected via the Configure > Module selection > Options... > Output Variables tab.

• Modules may be linked so the outputs from one module are automatically input into another module.

• Distance outputs may be scaled to map units.

• Input and output units of measure may be modified by the user.

• Custom Worksheet configurations may be saved and re-used.

• Custom sets of units of measure may be saved and re-used.

• The Guide Button next to each Worksheet entry field displays a help browser pane with context-specific 

text and either a list of valid choices (for discrete variables) or fields for generating a range of input values.

• Zero, one, or two input variables may have multiple entry values, producing either a simple result list, a 

single one-way table, or a multi-page two-way table, respectively.

• If one input variable has multiple entry values, a separate graph can be generated for each output variable. 

If two input variables have multiple entry values each output variable graph contains a family of curves.

• The SURFACE, SIZE, and CONTAIN Modules can produce diagrams of their results.

• Help commands make this manual and all associated documentation available in Adobe Acrobat format 

for reading, web browsing, and printing.

• Completed Runs may be saved and re-used.

2.4. Installation

2.4.1. Download

BehavePlus is available for download from www.firemodels.org. 

2.4.2. System Requirements

BehavePlus has modest system requirements.

• Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, or Vista

• Minimum 800 x 600 video resolution with 256 (8-bit) colors (recommend 1024 x 768 video resolution 

with 64K (16-bit) colors)

• 16 megabytes of available RAM

• 20 megabytes of disk storage

2.4.3. Windows Installation

BehavePlus for Windows is packaged using the Wise Installation System. Simply type the name of the package 

(e.g., bp_4_0_0.exe) at a command prompt (or click on its name in Windows Explorer) and the installation 

wizard will guide you through the process. This mostly consists of pressing the OK button.
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2.4.4. File Structure

BehavePlus has a proscribed file system structure; all files must be located in specific subdirectories. The parent 

directory of this file structure and all its subdirectories and files are collectively known as a Workspace. When 

BehavePlus is first installed it has a single Workspace called "DefaultDataFolder" as shown below.

This is the default current Workspace every time BehavePlus is started. 

Workspaces aid file management as you apply BehavePlus to several projects. See the section 17.1, Workspaces, 

for more information.

A list of three letter file extensions used by BehavePlus is shown in the following table. These extensions are 

automatically attached to the files you create in BehavePlus.

2.5. Definitions

A Worksheet is the first page or two containing the input Entry Fields. The content of a Worksheet depends 

upon the specific BehavePlus configuration including module selections, input options, output variables, and 

units of measure. Some Example Worksheets are supplied with the BehavePlus distribution and are included in 

every Workspace. You may develop your own Worksheets and save them for later reuse. A Worksheet does 

not have input values associated with it.

A Run is a Worksheet that has a complete set of valid input values, but no outputs are saved in a Run. You must 

calculate a saved Run to obtain outputs. Runs may be saved for documentation and later use. The BehavePlus 

installation includes Example Runs.

File extension File Type Folder

.bpf Custom fuel models FuelModelFolder

.bpm Moisture scenarios MoistureScenarioFolder

.bpr Runs RunFolder

.bpu Custom Unit Sets UnitsSetFolder

.bpw Worksheets WorksheetFolder
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USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 13

A Model is a set of equations that estimate one or more output variables from one or more input variables. 

BehavePlus contains many mathematical models which are grouped into Modules.

A Fuel Model is a set of numbers describing a fuel bed used by the surface fire spread model.

A Module is a collection of one or more mathematical models. The IGNITE Module, for example, includes both 

the firebrand ignition model and the lightning strike ignition model.

A Continuous Variable is an input or output variable that has a continuous range of numerical values. 

Continuous variables have a minimum and maximum valid value. Examples include fuel moisture content and 

wind speed.

A Discrete Variable has a finite set of valid values. Examples include Fuel Model and Spotting Source Location.

A Guide Button is the button with the arrow icon next to each Worksheet entry field. Pressing the Guide 

Button activates an “Input Guide” dialog box containing a help browser pane and input assistance. For 

continuous variables, the dialog facilitates entry of inputs by specifying the minimum input value, maximum input 

value, and increment value. For discrete variables the “Input Guide” dialog box contains a list of all valid inputs 

from which the user may select values.

A Workspace is a complete subdirectory tree containing all required BehavePlus files plus any additional 

Worksheet, Run, Fuel Model, Moisture Scenario, Units Set, or capture files saved by the user. A Workspace can 

be used for a project. Workspaces are created by the File > Workspaces > New workspace and the 

Files > Workspaces > Clone current workspace commands.

2.6. Menus and Toolbar

BehavePlus operations are available from the menu bar.
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The more common operations, such as Module Selection or Calculate, may also be invoked from Toolbar 

buttons. Toolbar buttons and their equivalent Menu commands are shown below:

Toolbar

Buttons Definitions Equivalent menu operation

Open a new Worksheet File > Open Worksheet

Open a saved Run File > Open Run

Print this Run File > Print

Module selection Configure > Module selection

Calculate this Run File > Calculate

Display first page Pages > then select page #

Display last page Pages > then select page #

Display previous page Pages > then select page #

Display next page Pages > then select page #

Access User’s Guide Help > User’s Guide
USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 15

3. Worksheets

A Worksheet is a form on which you enter input. Module selection, input 

options, and output variable selections determine the Worksheet.

BehavePlus initially starts with the BasicStart.bpw example Worksheet. This gives the option of doing a quick 

basic fire behavior Run without having to load or configure a Worksheet.

You also have the option of setting your own startup worksheet as described in section 3.8

3.1. Worksheet layout

A BehavePlus Worksheet is more than just an input form; it is the primary source of documentation about the 

Run. Worksheets include the following components:

Header - The Worksheet header shows the BehavePlus version number, useful for reporting bugs and 

determining if you have the most recent update. The header also includes the date and time of the last 

calculation and the page number, which lets you collate the correct pages after printing and spreading them out 

for further study.

Border - The line surrounding the Worksheet body may be modified with the Configure > Appearance 

preferences > Worksheet tab.

Tabs - Zero, one, or more page tabs with labels along the right-hand margin of the Worksheet may be activated 

with the Configure > Appearance preferences > Page Tabs tab.

Documentation - This section lists all the currently selected modules and contains an entry field for the Run 

description. Additional documentation entry fields are optionally activated on the Configure > Appearance 

preferences > Worksheet tab.

Input - This section contains the required input data entry fields identified by a short phrase and their units of 

measure. Each entry text box also has a Guide button that may be pressed for input assistance. Entry text 

boxes are grouped under headings such as "Fuel/Vegetation, Surface/Understory", "Fuel/Vegetation, Overstory", 

"Fuel Moisture", "Weather", "Terrain", and “Fire”.

Acceptable Fire Conditions - Used to enter ranges of acceptable fire behavior when using the table shading 

option. Table shading is enabled by selecting the Configure > Table shading for acceptable fire 

conditions check box.

Run Option Notes - This section documents pertinent configuration settings that are selected for the 

Worksheet.

Output Variables - This section lists all the selected output variables and their units of measure. This section 

may be toggled on/off in the Configure > Appearance preferences > Worksheet tab.

Notes - This section permits the user to enter free-field expository text. The user has control of the size of this 

section or whether it is displayed using the Configure > Appearance preferences > Worksheet tab.

3.2. Example Worksheets

A number of predefined example Worksheets are included with the BehavePlus installation in the 

ExampleWorksheets folder. You may use these Worksheets as provided, or use them as starting points for 

your own configuration. Use the File > Open worksheet command to open an example Worksheet and 

proceed to change your module selection, input options, and/or output variables as needed. Once the 

Worksheet is configured the way you want, you may name and save it as a new Worksheet. During subsequent 

BehavePlus sessions you may load your custom Worksheet.
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Shown below is the BasicStart.bpw example Worksheet:

3.3. Worksheet Sections

3.3.1. Page Header

The header of each page includes the version number of the BehavePlus program and the page number. Once a 

Run is calculated the date and time of the calculation is added. The date and time and page number can be used 

to correctly collate printed documents.

3.3.2. Documentation

Documentation is the header information on the Worksheet. The calculation modules that have been selected 

are listed. There is always a Description field.
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USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 17

Additional documentation lines can be added by selecting the 

Fire behavior projection worksheet header, Training 

worksheet header, and/or Prescribed fire plan 

worksheet header check boxes from the Configure > 

Appearance preferences > Worksheet tab.

Selecting the Fire projection documentation check box adds the following input fields to the Worksheet:

Selecting the Training documentation check box adds the following input fields to the Worksheet:

More than one option can be selected at the same time.

3.3.3. Input section

The required input variables and their units are displayed next to their text boxes. Fuel moisture variables that 

are not required have the text box shaded. In the example below, only 1-h fuel moisture is required for fuel 

model 1, because the other fuel categories are not included in that fuel model.

The Guide button for each input variable provides access to definitions and input assistance. Input variables 

are organized by logical association (rather than by calculation module). A table of all possible input variables by 

category is given in the Variables paper.
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3.3.4. Input codes

The definition of discrete variable input codes can be displayed by 

selecting two options on the Configure > Appearance > 

Worksheet tab. Selecting the Show description for all discrete 

variable codes check box displays the codes on the Worksheet 

beneath the variable. The Show descriptions only for entered 

discrete variable codes check box displays the codes used in the 

Run on a separate output page when selected.

For example, on the SPOT module with the Show descriptions for all discrete variable codes check 

box selected, all tree species and spotting source location codes are shown.
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With the Show descriptions only for entered discrete variable codes check box selected a page is 

generated at the end of outputs listing the codes and descriptions used in the Run.

3.3.5. Acceptable Fire Conditions

This section is displayed on the Worksheet when the Table shading for acceptable fire conditions

check box in the “Module Selection” dialog box is selected.

Acceptable Fire Conditions are fully explained in Chapter 7, Table Shading.

3.3.6. Run Option Notes

For clarification, Run options are given after the input variables. The user does not have the option of 

suppressing this information. The module using the option is also listed in brackets.

3.3.7. Output variables

Selected output variables and their units can be displayed at the end of the 

input Worksheet using the Configure > Appearance preferences > 

Worksheet tab. The module calculating the output variable is also listed in 

brackets.

For example:
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3.3.8. Notes

The Notes section of the Worksheet allows the user to enter text to 

describe a Run. The user has the option of changing the number of lines 

provided for notes or even eliminating the notes section on the Configure 

> Appearance preferences > Worksheet tab with the Show notes 

section check box and the Notes Lines spin box.

3.3.9. Page Tabs

Page tabs can be displayed along the right margin of the page. This is useful, for example, to identify Runs for a 

particular fire or training session that are subsequently bound in a three-ring binder or stored in filing folders. 

Page tabs can be added and defined with the Configure > Appearance preferences > Page Tabs tab.

Tabs per page - The size of the tab depends upon the value selected in this spin box. Only one tab is actually 

displayed per page. If tabs per page is 4, the displayed tab occupies one-fourth the page height. If it is 10, the 

displayed tab occupies one-tenth the page height. As this number increases, the displayed tab size decreases.

Tab position - Determines the position of the displayed tab. Tab position 1 is always at the upper edge of the 

right margin.

Tab text - The text to appear on the tab. The text is centered within the tab and will therefore be truncated at 

both ends if it is too long.

Tab text color - A color is selected from the drop-down list.

Tab font size - Font point size is selected using this spin box.
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USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 21

The above settings create the tab on the Worksheet below:

3.4. Loading a previously saved Worksheet

A previously saved Worksheet can be loaded using

• the File > Open worksheet command,

• or the toolbar button.

To see the Worksheets in the folder click on the button to the left of the folder.

To select a Worksheet either

• double click on it,

• or select and click the OK button.

A set of Worksheets is supplied with the program in the "ExampleWorksheets" folder.
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3.5. The 0Startup Worksheet

The 0Startup.bpw Worksheet is used as the starting place for selecting calculation modules and options. It 

shows no input or output variables, but it sets defaults for all settings. The 0Startup.bpw Worksheet was used 

to initialize all of the example Worksheets.

A Worksheet can be designed to meet specific needs by starting with the 0Startup.bpw Example Worksheet, 

selecting the desired modules, and changing options as needed. The startup Worksheet is named 0Startup.bpw 

to assure that it is the first selection of the Example Worksheets folder.

3.6. Changing a Worksheet

A Worksheet can be changed at any time by changing the selected modules and associated options. The changes 

are in effect only for the current session unless the revised Worksheet is saved. If a Worksheet that came with 

the program in the ExampleWorksheets folder is changed, the revised version must be saved in another 

Worksheet folder.

3.7. Saving a Worksheet or a Run

A Worksheet can be saved for later use with the File > saveAs > Worksheet command. The values entered 

onto the Worksheet are not saved. 

Save the Run, which is a Worksheet with the defined input values, with the File > saveAs > Run command.

See the Section 17.4, Save As, for more specific information.

3.8. Setting a Startup Worksheet

BehavePlus initially starts with the BasicStart.bpw Worksheet.You have the option of changing the startup 

Worksheet to one that better meets your needs.

The File > Set startup worksheet command opens a dialog box where you can select any Worksheet from 

the WorksheetFolder. It can be one of the ExampleWorksheets that come with the application or one that you 

have developed and saved.
USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 23

4. Modules

Modules are a grouping of mathematical fire models for a Worksheet. 

Selection of modules is made with the Configure > Module command.

The output variables that can be calculated by each module are given in the Variables paper.

Indentation of modules indicates which can be linked, which means that output from one module is used as 

input to the other. For example, if both SURFACE and SAFETY are selected, the modules are linked. Output 

from SURFACE is used as input to SAFETY. If only SAFETY is selected, the Flame Length input appears on 

the Worksheet and must entered by the user. A table of input variables and associated modules is given in the 

Variables paper.

Selection of modules, options, and output variables determines the required input variables shown on the 

Worksheet. The Options... button is used to configure a module’s input options or change the output 

variables calculated. Some module options are very simple, IGNITE for example, has no input options.

The “SURFACE Module Options” dialog box offers the most options, with multiple tabs for both input options 

and output variables.
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24 USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008

4.1. Input options

Some modules offer options on alternate ways of specifying input. For example, clicking the MORTALITY 

Options... button displays the “MORTALITY Module Options” dialog box with the Bark thickness is input 

option:

The bark thickness option affects the input variables included on the Worksheet. If Bark thickness is 

specified on the worksheet is selected, the resulting Worksheet is as follows: 

If Bark thickness is estimated from species and d.b.h. is selected, the Worksheet is as follows:
BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide Modules

USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 25

The SURFACE module has many input options, which are available on several tabs:

For the “SURFACE Module Options” dialog box the following tabs offer input options;

3⁄4 Fuel & Moisture

3⁄4 Wind Speed

3⁄4 Directions

3⁄4 Slope
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4.1.1. Fuel & Moisture Tab

Fuel models are prepackaged sets of fuel parameters representing 

stylized fuel situations. Using this input option allows you to simply 

enter fuel model codes rather than a dozen fuel model 

parameters. This is the most common way of running BehavePlus 

as it greatly simplifies input. If you have special fuel situations, 

create a custom fuel model and use it. 

The individual fuel parameters are required for fuel bed depth, 

extinction moisture content, heat of combustion, and loading and 

surface area-to-volume ratio by fuel particle size class. Fuel model 

parameters can be initialized to an existing fuel model. This 

method is primarily used to develop custom fuel models which are 

saved and reused. 

The two-fuel model options are useful for areas that clearly 

consist of two different fuel models rather than a single, 

homogenous fuel model. The two fuel models are designated as 

“first” and “second”. The coverage is entered for the “first” fuel 

model only. The coverage of the “second” fuel model is the 

remainder, with the total being 100%. The two fuel model options 

work with standard or custom fuel models, but not with the 

special case or fuel parameters options. The primary purpose of 

the two fuel option is weighted rate of spread. It is not appropriate 

to weight fire intensity values or their derivatives such as flame 

length or scorch height.

A special case palmetto-gallberry fuel model was developed by Hough and Albini (1978). It requires input of the 

age of palmetto-gallberry rough, palmetto coverage, understory height, and overstory basal area.

A special case western aspen fuel model was developed by Brown and Simmerman (1986). It requires selection 

of one of four aspen fuel types and aspen curing level (which is different from the curing level for the dynamic 

standard fuel models).

Dynamic curing load transfer is applicable to dynamic standard or custom fuel models. Seventeen of the 40 fuel 

models developed by Scott and Burgan (2005) are dynamic. Selecting the calculated from live herbaceous fuel 

moisture radio button uses the fuel load transfer model described in that paper. Selecting input directly radio 

button allows the user to specify the curing (fuel load transfer portion) directly.

Selecting the Moisture is entered by individual size class radio button requires you enter the moisture content 

for each fuel size class with fuel present in the fuel models used (1-h, 10-h, and 100-h dead fuels and herbaceous 

and woody live fuels).

The dead and live category option for moisture content is the simplest as you enter just two moisture contents; 

one is applied to all the dead fuels, and the second is applied to all the live fuels.

A moisture scenario is a predefined set of fuel moistures for 1-h, 10-h, and 100-h dead fuel and herbaceous and 

woody live fuel. It is analogous to the fuel model concept in that a single code represents an entire moisture 

situation. Fuel moisture scenarios may be developed, for example, to represent local 90-, 95-, and 97-percentile 

weather situations. More information on moisture scenarios is found in Chapter 13 of the User’s Guide.
BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide Modules

USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 27

4.1.2. Wind Speed Tab

Wind speed can be entered at three different heights; midflame 

(eye-level), 20-ft. or 10-m. When using a 20-ft. or 10-m windspeed 

you also have the option of entering a wind adjustment factor or 

having BehavePlus calculate one based on tree characteristics of 

the site.

Low intensity fires may not continue to spread faster with 

increasing wind speeds. When the Impose maximum reliable 

effective wind speed limit? Yes radio button is selected the 

maximum wind speed used to calculate rate of spread is based on 

the reaction intensity. If the No radio button is selected, the limit 

is not imposed.

4.1.3. Directions Tab

The simplest direction option is using upslope wind and upslope 

spread. To use this method select the Surface fire spread 

direction is only in the direction of maximum spread radio 

button and the Wind is upslope radio button.

Alternatively the non-head fire spread direction and/or direction of the 

wind can be specified. To more easily examine the relative effect of 

wind and slope on fire spread, select the Wind & slope directions 

are degrees clockwise from upslope radio button. Using this 

option, the wind direction is the direction the wind is pushing the fire.

When fire projection are being done for a specific location on a map 

and weather observations or forecasts are being used, select the Wind 

& slope directions are degrees clockwise from north radio 

button. With this option, the wind direction is the direction from 

which the wind is blowing.

4.1.4. Slope Tab

Slope is specified as either percent or degrees by selecting the appropriate 

radio button.

Selecting the Slope steepness is specified on the worksheet radio 

button allows the user to enter the slope values directly on the Worksheet.
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Selecting the Slope steepness is calculated from map measurements radio button allows the slope 

to be calculated from map measurements and additional inputs are required on the Worksheet.

4.2. Output Variables

Every module has choices for which output variables are calculated. The desired output variables are selected 

through the Options... button associated with each module.The selected output determines the input 

requirements on the Worksheet. For example, input variables on the Worksheet when using the SPOT Module 

will be different for each spotting source.

Most of the modules have just one output tab named Output Variables. The SURFACE module has several 

output tabs.

3⁄4 Basic Outputs

3⁄4 Intermediate Outputs

3⁄4 Fuel Outputs

3⁄4 P-G Outputs

3⁄4 Aspen Outputs
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USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 29

Outputs can be displayed as tables, graphs, or diagrams and charts. Variable outputs are those most typically 

displayed by the SURFACE module. The top section of output variables can be displayed in tables or graphs. 

Details on each output variable are found in the Variables paper.

In addition to the table and graph variables, charts 

and diagrams are also available for some modules.

For example, for the SIZE Module, a simple Fire 

Shape Diagram for the calculated values is 

available.
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When you select this output a diagram of the relative directions of slope, wind, and fire spread is produced for 

each calculation result. These diagrams are useful for clarifying the selected input options and their resulting 

output values.
USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 31

5. Entering input

There are several ways to enter input to the BehavePlus program. Values 

can be typed directly into the input field, choices can be made from a list of 

valid input values, a range of values can be specified, and for some variables, 

a selection can be made from a list of common choices.

5.1. Shaded text boxes

In some cases, input variables depend on values entered elsewhere on the Worksheet. When an input variable 

is not required, its text box is shaded. If a value is entered for a shaded text box, it is not used.

5.2. Direct entry

Values can be typed directly into the variable text boxes and the Enter or Tab keys moves the cursor to the 

next field. The cursor can also be moved to any text box with a mouse click. More than one value can be 

entered for an input variable. Multiple values are separated by a space or comma delimiter. You do not need to 

always specify equal steps. You can enter several independent values separated by delimiters.

For table output a separate row and/or column will be created for each value from the input variable text box. 

For graphs of continuous input variables the curve is drawn between the smallest and largest value entered. 

Graphs of discrete variables will display a separate bar for each input value. See chapter 6, Table output, for 

more on how multiple values affect outputs.

5.3. Input Guide

The “Input Guide” dialog box is opened by clicking the Guide button to the left of each input variable text 

box.

5.3.1. Continuous variables

Valid input ranges can be viewed in the “Input Guide” 

dialog box.

Single values are entered in just the From text box; a 

second value can be entered in the Thru text box.
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For continuous variables the “Input Guide” dialog box allows definition of a range of values by a constant 

increment. For example, midflame wind speed from 0 to 20 mi/h in steps of 5 enters 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 on the 

Worksheet as shown below.

You can also enter a decreasing range with a negative step. This is useful when you have two input variables, 

such as wind and fuel moisture, that have opposite effect on fire behavior

5.3.2. Discrete variables

When the Guide button is clicked for a discrete variable, the allowed selections are given in the center pane of 

the “Input Guide” dialog box.

Clicking the values selects them; you can select several values. This example shows the fuel model "Input Guide" 

dialog box. The Ok button enters the selected fuel models on the Worksheet.
BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide Entering input

USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 33

5.3.3. Choices button

Although any value in the valid range can be entered for a continuous variable, in some cases common values 

can be entered with the Choices button.

When available on the “Input Guide” dialog box, clicking the Choices button displays commonly used values.

After selecting values in the “Slope Steepness” dialog box, clicking Ok enters them on the Worksheet.
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5.4. Linked input variables

When using the CONTAIN module, with the multiple resources input option selected, some input 

variables are directly associated with each other. This is an exception to the general BehavePlus rule. For 

example, a line production rate, arrival time, and duration are assigned to each resource. Linked input variables 

also allow you to enter multiple values for more than two input variables. In the following example, although 

multiple values are assigned to several input variables, those variables are linked together, so only a single 

calculation is done.
USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 35

6. Table output

When more than one value is assigned to one or two input variables, table 

output is produced. Tables are produced by selecting the Display table 

results check box in the "Calculate Results" dialog box that displays after 

selecting a File > Calculate command.

6.1. Single value calculation

When each variable is assigned only one value, a simple list of output is given. No table or graph is possible. For 

example:
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6.2. Table output

When more than one value is assigned to a variable, table output is produced. Each output variable is a specified 

column. For example, these multiple Rate of Spread inputs produce the page 2 table below:

6.3. Two way tables

When more than one value is assigned to two variables, a two way table is produced. A table is produced for 

each selected output variable. Either variable can be specified as the row variable in the "Calculate Results" 

dialog box. 

For example, with the above inputs this dialog 

box appears when you Calculate the Run. 

After selecting the Rate of Spread 

(maximum) option button and clicking the Ok

button, the following tables are produced:
BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide Table output

USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 37

Changing the Table Row Variable to the 

Elapsed Time radio button swaps the table 

columns and rows produces the following Area 

table:
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38 USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008

6.4. Table appearance

Table row shading can be enabled with the Configure > Appearance > Tables tab.

Selecting the Shade alternate table rows check box causes all output tables to have alternating rows 

shaded with a background color. This may improve the readability of wide tables. If the check box is cleared, 

tables are displayed without any row background color. This table appearance option is used to improve table 

readability, don’t confuse it with the Table shading for acceptable fire conditions output option. See 

chapter 7, Table shading, for more information.

The table row background color is selected from the Shade drop-down list.

Selecting the Show only acceptable conditions when table shading check box replaces crossed off 

output values with blank cells in the output tables produced with the Table shading for acceptable fire 

conditions option as described in chapter 7.

6.5. Multiple pages

There is essentially no limit on the number of values that can be assigned to an input variable. But the resulting 

table might not fit on a single page. For example, if rate of spread is calculated for values from 2 to 30 in steps 

of 2, and elapsed time is specified as the row variable, the table overlaps onto 3 pages.
BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide Table output

USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 39

The > or < symbols lined to the right and/or left of the table heading indicates that there are additional results 

for those variables in the indicated direction.

The box diagram at the upper left of the pages shows the relative position of the currently viewed page in the 

multi-page table.
Table output BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide

40 USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008

In this example, however, it would make more sense to specify rate of spread as the row variable since it 

produces a table that fits on a single page as shown below:
USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 41

7. Table Shading

Table shading for acceptable fire conditions is designed to display the 

conditions that contribute to acceptable fire behavior, such as in developing 

a prescribed fire prescription. It replaces the RXWINDOW program of the old BEHAVE system (Andrews and 

Bradshaw 1990). RXWINDOW reversed the calculations to determine conditions that corresponded to 

specified fire conditions. As additional fire models have become available, this approach is unfeasible. The 

approach taken in BehavePlus is different from that in RXWINDOW. 

7.1. Activating the Table Shading Option

To implement the table shading option select the Table shading for acceptable fire conditions check 

box in the “Module Selection” dialog box.

Once the Table shading for acceptable fire conditions check box is selected a new section, 

Acceptable Fire Conditions, appears on the Worksheet.

Notice that some of the output variables are listed in the Acceptable Fire Conditions section. Not all the 

output variables are available to be constrained. The output variables that can be used to identify acceptable fire 

conditions are listed in the Variables paper.
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42 USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008

7.2. Entering Acceptable Fire Conditions

In the Acceptable Fire Conditions section each output variable listed has a check box and two text boxes 

for entering the range of acceptable fire conditions. By default the check boxes are cleared. The ranges specified 

in the text boxes are only considered if the output variable check box is selected.

This allows you to view all the output variables you want while only using a subset to define your acceptable fire 

conditions. Of course if an output variable is of no interest then clear it from the Outputs tab for the 

appropriate module and it appears in neither the Acceptable Fire Conditions or Output Variables 

section.

After selecting the output variables to define acceptable fire conditions enter the acceptable ranges in the 

corresponding text boxes.

When you clear a check box in the Acceptable Fire Conditions section there is no need to zero out the 

range text boxes. Ranges are ignored if the check box is cleared.
BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide Table Shading

USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 43

7.3. Viewing Results

After calculating the Run the table output will look like this. Rate of Spread values less than 3.0 ch/h or greater 

than 5.0 ch/h are crossed off.

The corresponding cells are also crossed off on the fireline intensity table,

Once you have developed a prescription window that you want, you can produce a table with blanks in place of 

the crossed-off values. Select the Configure > Appearance preferences > Tables tab and select the 

Show only acceptable conditions when table shading check box.
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44 USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008

The table now looks like this.

If Fireline Intensity is also selected to define acceptable fire conditions all output tables will change.

For the above ranges using the same fuel, weather, and topography inputs the table outputs looks like this;

Now acceptable output must meet both ranges of acceptable conditions which further constrains the fuel 

moisture and wind conditions that give desired results. Selecting two or more variables in the Acceptable 

Fire Conditions section give results that should be interpreted carefully.
USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 45

8. Graph output

When more than one value is entered for one or two input variables, 

graphs can be produced. Graphs are viewed by selecting the Display 

Graph Results check box in the "Calculate Results" dialog box that 

displays after Calculate is requested. The form of the graph depends on whether the variables are continuous or 

discrete. The program automatically takes care of the differences for the user.

8.1. Single variable graph

When a range of values is entered for a single continuous variable, a graph is produced by calculating a fixed 

number of points (which can be changed in the Configure > Appearance > Graph Elements tab) over 

the entered range. Intermediate values entered on the Worksheet are ignored. For example, rate of spread 

entry of 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 produces the same graph as rate of spread entry of 5, 15:
Graph output BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide

46 USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008

When a range of values is assigned to a discrete variable, a bar graph is produced. For example, the following is 

a comparison of surface fire spread rates for the standard 13 fire behavior fuel models:

8.2. Two variable graph

When a range of values is assigned to two variables, a graph is produced. If both variables are continuous, the 

variable used for the X-axis can be selected from the "Calculate Results" dialog box. For example:
BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide Graph output

USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 47

In the "Calculate Results" dialog box clear the Display table results check box and accept the defaults in the 

Display graph results section:

With Dead Fuel Moisture(%) as the X-Axis Variable a seperate line is produced for each of the other 

multiple input worksheet values (Midflame Wind Speed (upslope) in this example).

Changing the X-Axis Variable to the Midflame Wind Speed (upslope) in the "Calculate Results" dialog 

box produces a very different graph:
Graph output BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide

48 USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008

If a range is assigned to two variables, one continuous and one discrete, the continuous variable is always on the 

X-axis. For example:

With two variables, one continuous and one 

discrete, you no longer have the option of 

changing the X-Axis Variable in the "Calculate 

Results" dialog box.

A graph is not possible when ranges are selected for two discrete variables.

8.3. Axis scales

Setting axis scales is important for getting the best information from your Runs, and especially for comparing 

graph output from different Runs.
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USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 49

8.3.1. X-axis

The X-axis variable and scale are the same for all graphs produced by a Run. The maximum for the x-axis is set 

to be the maximum value specified for the variable on the Worksheet. 

X Axis Origin and Y Axis Origin (minimum values) can be set for each as either zero or as the variable's 

minimum value as specified on the input Worksheet. The graph origin is set to (0,0) as the default. 

For example, consider the following Run:

Options to define the origin of the graph are set through the Configure > 

Appearance > Graph Size tab. 

Setting both the X Axis Origin and Y Axis Origin to zero produces the 

following graph:
Graph output BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide

50 USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008

In the Configure > Appearance > Graph Size tab select Min Value from the 

X-Axis Origin drop-down list to alter the graph appearance.

8.3.2. Y-axis

The Y-axis scale normally differs between graphs produced by a Run since each graph is for a different output 

variable. For example, fireline intensity and flame length have different ranges of output and require a different 

Y-axis scale. By default the Y-axis is scaled to the maximum calculated output value for the variable to make best 

use of the graph area.

When you want to compare graphs between Runs, different Y-axis scales can obfuscate the comparison. A rate 

of spread graph for fuel model 10, for example, usually has a narrower output range than for fuel model 5 under 

the same conditions. To better compare calculated rate of spread graphs for the two fuel models, you can set 

both graphs to have the same Y-axis scale.
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USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 51

The following Run is for fuel model 10, which has relatively low rates of spread.

With the X Axis Origin and Y Axis Origin set to zero, the rate of spread graph below is produced:

To compare the results for fuel model 10 with the faster spreading fuel model 5, the scale for the fuel model 10 

Run is changed to match that produced by model 5. The calculated maximums are given for each of the selected 

output variables as a reference.

In the "Calculate Results" dialog box select the 

Specify graph Y axis limits check box if you 

wish to modify the Y-axis ranges of the output 

graphs before they are displayed.
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52 USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008

This displays the "Graph Limits" dialog box, where you can change the Y-axis maximum for the variable Rate of 

Spread (maximum) to 40:

The comparison with the corresponding graph for fuel model 5 is now more straightforward now that the axes 

are the same.
BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide Graph output

USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 53

8.4. Graph appearance

The appearance of the graph can be 

changed through the Configure > 

Appearance > Graph Size and 

Configure > Appearance > Graph 

Elements tabs.

8.4.1. Graph Size

The vertical graph height on the page is set with the Graph Size(%) spin box on the 

Configure > Appearance > Graph Size tab.

Graphs are drawn starting at the upper left corner of the page and may occupy 25% to 

100% of the page height. The default is 50%, as shown in the following graph.
Graph output BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide

54 USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008

Changing the Graph Size to 100% changes the above to the following graph:

8.4.2. Graph Title

The graph title content is controlled using the Graph Title drop-down list on the 

Configure > Appearance > Graph Size tab.

Selecting Short from the Graph Title drop-down list displays just the contents of 

the Worksheet Description text box as the title. Selecting Long displays the 

Description text box and the graph variables.
BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide Graph output

USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 55

Using the above Run a graph with a short title (the default) looks like the following.

Selecting Long from the 

Graph Title drop-down list 

on the Configure > 

Appearance > Graph Size

tab adds more information to 

the title.
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56 USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008

8.4.3. Graph colors

Graph colors can be changed with the Configure > Appearance > Graph Elements tab.

Colors are selected from the predefined drop-down lists.

Background is the background color of the graph.

Rainbow Colors sets the number of colors used to display graph lines or bars when Rainbow Colors is 

selected as the curve color. With three rainbow colors, the colors are red, green, and blue. If 4 colors are 

requested, four equally spaced hues from the color spectrum are used to display each graph line or bar in turn. 

Bar Color is used to fill graph bars. Selecting Rainbow Colors fills each bar with its own color. The number of 

rainbow colors is set by the Rainbow Colors spin box discussed above. 

Curve Color is used to draw graph lines. Selecting Rainbow Colors draws each line with its own color. The 

number of rainbow colors is set by the Rainbow Colors spin box discussed above. 

Axis Color is used to draw graph axis lines, tic marks, and axis labels. 

Gridline Color is for the graph grid lines. The default is yellow.
BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide Graph output

USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 57

Changing Rainbow Colors to 10 results in the following graph coloring:

8.4.4. Line widths

Line widths can be changed using the Curve Width, Axis Width, and 

Gridline Width spin boxes on the Configure > Appearance > Graph 

Elements tab.

Curve Width sets the width of graph lines. 0 is the thinnest and 9 thickest.

Axis Width sets the width of axis lines drawn on the graph. 1 is thinnest and 9 

thickest.

Gridline Width sets the width of grid lines drawn on the graph. 1 is thinnest 

and 9 thickest. To prevent the display of any grid lines set Gridline Width to 

0.
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58 USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008

The following graph uses the default line settings.

8.5. Number of curve points

The resolution of the curves can be changed with the Curve Points spin box 

on the Configure > Appearance > Graph Elements tab.

The Curve Points spin box determines the number of points calculated for 

each curve in the graph. A straight-line segment is drawn between each pair of 

points. The default is 100 points. In cases where many curves are plotted and 

the calculation time is slow, reducing the number of curve points will speed 

things up.
USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 59

9. Diagram output

In addition to the usual table and graph output, BehavePlus produces 

diagrams for the following output variables. 

• Wind/slope/fire spread direction diagrams from the SURFACE module

• Fire characteristics chart from the SURFACE module

• Shape of a point source fire from the SIZE module

• Shape of a fire after suppression action from the CONTAIN module

Diagram output is selected from the lists on the Configure > Module selection > (module name) > 

Options... > Outputs tab for the corresponding module.

9.1. Wind/slope/spread direction

Direction diagrams can help the user avoid confusion on directions for wind, slope, and spread directions. 

Direction input options are selected on the Configure > Module selection > SURFACE > Options... > 

Directions tab.

Direction diagrams are produced with the Configure > Module selection > SURFACE > Options... > 

Basic Outputs tab and selecting the Wind/Slope/Spread Direction Diagram check box.

The diagrams differ according to the direction Input Options selected from the Configure > Module 

selection > SURFACE > Options... > Directions tab. The following shows the Input Option selection, 

the resulting Worksheet, the outputs table and diagrams.
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60 USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008
BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide Diagram output

USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 61

The following illustrates the effect of selecting the Wind & spread directions are radio button on the 

variables that are requested on the Worksheet.
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BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide Diagram output

USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 63

9.2. Fire characteristics chart

A fire characteristics chart diagram plots the relationship of rate of spread, heat per unit area, flame length, and 

fireline intensity. This option is a simplified plot and does not offer the user any display options. Axis scales are 

set automatically and points are labeled with simple numbers. In the future, BehavePlus will provide a Fire 

Characteristics Tool so that the user can customize it for a specific need.

Fire characteristics charts are produced with the Configure > Module selection > SURFACE > 

Options... > Basic Outputs tab and selecting the Fire Characteristics Chart check box.
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64 USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008

It is not necessary to select the four output variables that are plotted on the chart.

The following shows the Worksheet and resulting output table and Fire Characteristics Chart.
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USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 65

The points labeled 1, 2, and 3 correspond to the three lines of the output table. Point 1 is for fuel model 2, 

point 2 for fuel model 5, and point 3 for fuel model 10.

In the case of two variables with multiple entry values a two-way table is produced:
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66 USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008

The numbers on the chart correspond to the table cells in left-to-right and top-to-bottom order. In this 

example, Points 1 and 2 are for the first row of the result table (3% moisture) at the two wind speeds (7 and 10 

mi/h). Points 3 and 4 are for the second row of the result table (6% moisture) at the two wind speeds. Points 5 

and 6 are for the third row of the result table (9% moisture) at the two wind speeds.

9.3. Shape of a point source fire

The elliptical shape of a point source fire can be plotted 

on the Configure > Module selection > SIZE > 

Options ... > Output Variables tab by selecting the 

Fire Shape Diagram check box.

For example, the following shows the Worksheet, output table, and Fire Shape Diagram.
BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide Diagram output

USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 67

In addition to the shape diagrams, values for all of the selected output variables are given on each diagram.

A word of caution when using the SIZE module by itself as shown by the above example. The above diagram 

could be wrongly interpreted to show that higher wind speeds result in a smaller fire. But remember the 

surface rate of spread (10 ch/h) was the same for 0 and 6 m.p.h. winds, which is not realistic if all other fire 

environment conditions were the same. In this example the wind speed only determines the shape of a fire for 

a given forward spread distance. 
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When the SIZE Module is linked to the SURFACE Module, the wind vector is also shown on the diagram.
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9.4. Containment shape

The Containment Diagram shows fire perimeter at time of report, at initial attack, and constructed fireline at 

the time the fire was successfully contained or when it escaped initial attack (all resources exhausted before 

containment). 

The Containment Diagram is displayed by 

selecting the Containment Diagram check 

box from the Configure > Module 

selection > CONTAIN > Options ... > 

Output Variables tab. Also select the 

Contain Status check box to output 

whether the fire was Contained or Escaped 

on the Containment Diagram.
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USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 71

10. View, print, & capture results

10.1. View size

The View > xx% command changes the size of your 

Worksheet and Run when viewed on screen. It does 

not affect the size of printed output.

10.2. Pages

While each Run has its own window, the window has one or more Pages. The first page(s) contain the 

Worksheet, and subsequent pages contain results tables, graphs, and diagrams.

You can navigate between pages using the following toolbar buttons:

 Go to the first page

 Go to the last page

 Go to the previous page

 Go to the next page

The keyboard navigation arrows will also move you from one page to the next. The Pages > command allows 

you to jump directly to a specific page. Selection can be made from the list of pages with text descriptions and 

an icon indicating whether it is a table, graph, diagram, etc.
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10.3. Windows

When a Worksheet is first opened, the Run it represents 

is assigned a default name such as "unnamed01.bpr", 

"unnamed02.bpr", etc. This name is displayed on the title 

bar at the top of the BehavePlus application window.

When you save a Run with the File > saveAs > Run command you should rename the Run. The name of the 

Run is then displayed in the title bar of the BehavePlus window. The complete path name for the Run is shown 

at the bottom of the BehavePlus application window.

BehavePlus allows you to have any number of Runs open 

at once. Each Run has its own display window containing a 

Worksheet and possibly containing calculation results. 

Only one Run window is active at a time. The Windows 

menu item allows you to switch between Runs. It also 

allows you to cascade or tile the Runs within the 

BehavePlus window area with the Windows > Cascade

or Windows > Tile commands. By default the Run 

windows are stacked on top of each other, so you only see 

the active Run. If your Run windows are already cascaded or tiled, you can make a Run active by clicking it.

The following is a "tiled" display of the two Runs, one English, one metric. The English Run (unnamed01.bpr) is 

the active Run.
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10.4. Print

You can print all pages or selected pages with the File > Print command. Alternatively, select Print from the 

shortcut menu when you right click inside a page.

Whenever an output page is printed, it is good practice to print the associated input Worksheet pages to avoid 

confusion on conditions for the Run. Printed pages are numbered and the date and time of the Run are included 

on the page header.

10.5. Saving Output

You can save BehavePlus results in several ways. Each page can be saved as an image of the screen display using 

BehavePlus features. Another way is to use the Alt-Print Screen key stroke combination available on all personal 

computers. In addition, table output with associated input values can be exported to an HTML file, which can 

be viewed with a web browser or spreadsheet application.

10.5.1. Saving a screen image

The currently displayed page can be captured and saved as a file in bmp, jpg, or png format with the File > 

Save as an image command. In the "Save As" dialog box enter a file name in the Capture File text box and 

select a file type from the Capture Type drop-down list. The file extension will be automatically added to the 

file name

In addition to the File > Save as an image command, you can use the ALT-Print Screen keystroke 

combination or a screen capture utility (e.g. FullShot) to insert results from BehavePlus into other documents. 

This is a quick and efficient method. There is no need to save the image in a file of its own. The following steps 

are an example and do not constitute endorsement of specific software.

• Startup BehavePlus and Microsoft Word software

• Make BehavePlus the active window

• Use the Alt-Print Screen keystroke combination to copy the image of the BehavePlus window

• Make Microsoft Word the active window

• Paste the BehavePlus image into the Word document

• Select the BehavePlus image you just pasted into the WORD document

• Now you can use the Word picture tools to manipulate the BehavePlus image, you may need to display 

Word’s Picture Toolbar by selecting the View > Toolbars > Picture.

10.5.2. Saving an HTML File

Once you have calculated a Run you can save the Run as an HTML file. In addition to the table outputs the 

HTML file also contains the Input Variables and Run Option Notes sections of the Worksheet. Select the 

File > Export results command to open a standard Windows “Save As” dialog box. You can save this file 

anywhere, it does not have to be in a BehavePlus Workspace. The HTML file extension will be automatically 

added to your file name.
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Simply double-clicking your saved file will display your Run in your Web browser.

You can also open the HTML file with a spreadsheet application. The column widths may need to be changed to 

make the values readable. A useful technique is to copy the output table to another worksheet so the results 

can be reformatted or graphed as desired.
USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 75

11. Error checking

When you do something in error, the program will tell you what the 

problem is and give you a chance to fix it.

If you do something that causes the program to crash or freeze, it is a program bug. First check the Known 

Bugs page at www.firemodels.org. If you find the issue has not already been reported, please report it to the 

Help desk at (800) 253-5559 or (208) 387-5290, fire_help@fs.fed.us.
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This page blank on purpose.
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12. Fuel models

A fuel model is a set of values that describe a fuel type for the surface fire 

spread model. There are 53 standard fire behavior fuel models. The original 

standard fuel models are numbered 1 through 13. An expanded set of 40 fuel models is also available. 

Additionally Custom Fuel Models, can be developed, tested, saved, used in BehavePlus, and exported for use in 

other applications.

12.1. 53 Standard fire behavior fuel models

The original 13 standard fuel models are always available by using the Fuel Model Input Guide Button or 

entering the fuel model code directly into the text box from the keyboard. A complete description of the 13 

standard fuel models is found in the publication Aids to Determining Fuel Models For Estimating Fire Behavior. 

Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-122. Anderson, 1982. These fuel models are found at the top of the list in the Fuel Model

“Input Guide” dialog box.

The expanded set of 40 fuel models is also always available in BehavePlus. These fuel models are also selected 

from the Fuel Model Input Guide or entered directly in the Fuel Model text box on the Worksheet. They 

are listed after the original 13 in the “Input Guide” dialog box, but they use an alpha-numeric code rather than 

a number for the value on the Worksheet.
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Notice that the expanded models are identified as dynamic or static with a (D) or (S) in the description. See 

Section 12.4 below for more on dynamic fuel models. Example Runs (e.g. FuelCompare.bpr) can be found in the 

ExampleRuns folder to explore the expanded fuel model set and see the effect of dynamic fuel models. A full 

description of the 40 fuel models is found in Scott and Burgan (2005).

12.2. Palmetto-Gallberry special case fuel model

The Palmetto-Gallberry fuel model is not selected from the “Input 

Guide” dialog box like the standard fuel models, but is selected with 

the Special case fuel model, palmetto-gallberry radio 

button on the Configure > Module selection > SURFACE > 

Options... > Fuel & Moisture tab.

The palmetto-gallberry fuel model estimates fuel parameters from vegetation characteristics (Hough and Albini 

1978). Selecting the Special case fuel model, palmetto-gallberry radio button adds different input 

variables to the “Fuel/Vegetation, Surface/Understory” section of the Worksheet.

Fuel parameters are calculated and available for display as output variables 

by selecting them on the Configure > Module selection > 

SURFACE > Options... > P-G Outputs tab.
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USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 79

12.3. Western Aspen special case fuel model

Like the palmetto-gallberry fuel model, the western aspen fuel 

model is selected with the Special case fuel model, western 

aspen radio button on the Configure > Module selection > 

SURFACE > Options... > Fuel & Moisture tab.

Selecting the special case western aspen fuel model adds additional items to the to the “Fuel/Vegetation, 

Surface/Understory” section of the Worksheet.

The western aspen fuel model estimates fuel parameters from vegetation characteristics (Brown and 

Simmerman 1986).

In addition tree morality is calculated in this model. It is not in the MORTALITY module, because a different 

mathematical model is used for this tree species.

12.4. Dynamic fuel models

Dynamic load transfer of herbaceous fuel is available in BehavePlus. If the Fuel Model Type is identified as 

dynamic, then fuel load is transferred from herbaceous live to dead herbaceous fuel as a function of the Live 

Herbaceous Moisture value entered on the Worksheet. Dynamic fuel models must have a live herbaceous 

fuel load while static fuel models may or may not have a live herbaceous fuel load.
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The original 13 standard fuel models are all static. Seventeen of the expanded 40 standard fuel models are 

dynamic. The dynamic fuel models are identified by a (D) at the end of their description and a Fuel Model Type 

parameter of D.

Additional output variables are available to help uses understand 

dynamic fuel models. The following variables can be selected from 

the Configure > Module selection > SURFACE > 

Options... > Fuel Outputs tab. A full explanation of dynamic 

fuel models is found in Scott and Burgan (2005).

BehavePlus offers the option of user specification of curing level 

(fuel load transfer portion) rather than using the value calculated 

from live herbaceous fuel moisture. This output option is selected 

with the input directly radio button on the Configure > 

Module selection > SURFACE > Options... > Fuel 

&Moisture tab.

An additional input field is added to the “Fuel/Vegetation, Surface/Understory” section of the Worksheet.

12.5. Custom fuel models

In addition to the standard fuel models you can create, save, and reuse custom fuel models in BehavePlus. These 

custom fuel models can be exported in a file format used by FARSITE, NEXUS, and FlamMap.
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12.5.1. Defining and saving custom fuel models

The first step in creating a custom fuel model is to change the Worksheet so that individual fuel parameters are 

entered in place of the fuel model code. Use the Configure > Module selection > SURFACE > 

Options... > Fuel and moisture tab and select the fuel parameters. radio button.

Or you can load the Example Worksheet FuelModeling.bpw, which as been set up to use fuel parameters, using 

the File > Open worksheet command or toolbar button.

Fuel model parameters can be typed directly into the parameter text boxes. Or they can be initiated with an 

existing fuel model by clicking the Initialize from a Fuel Model button on the Worksheet.

The process of developing a custom fuel model is more complex that just filling in these blanks. It involves a 

process of evaluation and revision which is not covered in this User’s Guide. 
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Once the fuel model parameters are defined, a custom fuel model can be saved for later use with the File > 

saveAs > Fuel model > BehavePlus format command. In the "Save As" dialog box enter a file name in 

the Fuel Model File text box and a short description in the Fuel Model Description text box. If more 

than one value is assigned to a fuel model parameter for testing purposes, the first value in the list is the one 

that is saved.

Fuel models should be grouped in folders named by some logical association of meaning to the user. See Section 

17.4, Save As..., for more information.

12.5.2. Using previously saved custom fuel models

In order to use previously saved custom fuel models, the folder in which they are stored must be attached using 

the Configure > Fuel model set selection command.

Click on a folder's button to view its fuel 

model files. Each fuel model is stored in a 

separate file.

Fuel model files are available by attaching the 

folder in which they reside. This makes the 

fuel models in that folder accessible for use. It 

is not possible to select and attach individual 

fuel models; the entire folder must be 

attached. For example, all the southern 

California fuel models are attached by 

selecting the SoCalifornia folder in the 

“Fuel Model” dialog box and clicking the Ok

button. Once a fuel model folder is attached, 

the fuel models appear in the Fuel Model input guide and may be entered as the Fuel Model input variable.

After the SoCalifornia fuel model folder is attached, the 

Fuel Model input Guide Button gives the following 

valid selections for the Fuel Model text box.

To view the parameters of a particular fuel model, rightclick on its name and select the View parameters

command from the shortcut menu.
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USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 83

When viewed in the “Fuel Model” dialog box (opened with the Configure > Fuel model set selection

command), folders and files with a paper clip icon are currently attached to (i.e., accessible for use by) 

BehavePlus in the current session. Once the Ok button is pressed, only the currently selected folders will have 

their files attached. Unselected folders will NOT have their files attached, even if they are currently marked as 

attached by the paper clip icons. 

Custom fuel models are selected just like the standard models. They can be selected with the Fuel Model input 

guide or entering the fuel model code directly into the text box from the keyboard.
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12.5.3. Exporting custom fuel models

Custom fuel models you create and save in BehavePlus can be exported in the Custom Fuel Model (.fmd) file 

format used by FARSITE, NEXUS, and FlamMap. To avoid confusion, remember the distinction between saving 

and exporting custom fuel models; saving a fuel model lets you reuse it only in another BehavePlus session, 

while exported fuel models can only be used in an application that uses the Custom Fuel Model (.fmd) file 

format. Files with a .fmd extension cannot be used in BehavePlus and .bpf files cannot be used in FARSITE, 

NEXUS, or FlamMap.

Before you can export a BehavePlus custom fuel model it must be saved and attached. See Sections 12.5.2 and 

12.5.1 above for information on saving and attaching custom fuel models.

To export a custom fuel model use the File > saveAs > 

Fuel model > FARSITE format command. In the “Fuel 

Model Export Selection” dialog box the attached custom 

fuel models are found at the end of the standard fuel 

models list.

For custom fuel models both the Sort and Code columns 

in the list display the file name truncated to five characters. 

You select one or more fuel models to export and then 

click the Ok button. Type the filename in the “Save As” 

dialog box and BehavePlus will automatically attach a .fmd 

extension.

The exported .fmd file will look similar to this when viewed in a text editor.

The first field for each fuel model is the fuel model number. Exported fuel models begin with number 14 and 

continue to 90 if you elect to export that many fuel models. If these fuel model numbers do not match the 

landscape file in FARSITE or FlamMap you should change these to match by editing the exported .fmd file. You 

may also want to edit the second field, the fuel model code. The default that is exported is the first five 

characters of the BehavePlus .bpf filename.
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13. Moisture scenarios

A moisture scenario is a set of fuel moistures for 1-h, 10-h, and 100-h dead 

fuel and herbaceous and woody live fuel. It is analogous to the fuel model 

concept in that a single code represents a set of live and dead fuel moisture values. Fuel moisture scenarios may 

be developed, for example, to represent local 90-, 95-, and 97-percentile weather situations. The set of 

moisture scenarios used in the old BEHAVE TSTMDL fuel modeling program and the set used to test the 40 

standard fuel models are provided with the BehavePlus program.

Fuel model scenarios are for developing and comparing fuel models. They are not designed for fire behavior 

prediction, in which case actual fuel moisture values should be assigned directly.

13.1. Using previously saved moisture scenarios

In order to use previously saved moisture scenarios, the folder in which they are stored must be attached. A 

folder of moisture scenarios is attached using the Configure > moisture scenario set selection

command to open the "Moisture Scenarios" dialog box.

Click on a folder's to view its moisture scenario files. Each moisture scenario is stored in a separate file. The 

details of a moisture scenario can be viewed or printed by right-clicking and selecting the appropriate command 

from the shortcut menu.

Moisture scenario files are attached by selecting the folder in which they reside and clicking the Ok button in 

the “Moisture Scenario” dialog box. This makes all the moisture scenarios in that folder accessible for use. It is 

not possible to select and attach individual moisture scenarios; the entire folder must be attached. For example, 

one set of the moisture scenarios that come with the BehavePlus program are attached by selecting the 

FuelModeling folder. Once a moisture scenario folder is attached, its moisture scenarios appear in the 

Moisture Scenario input guide.

Worksheet options also need to be set to use moisture scenarios. Set up the Worksheet to enter fuel 

moistures with moisture scenarios using the Configure > Module selection > SURFACE > Options... > 

Fuel & Moisture tab and select the Moisture is entered by moisture scenario. radio button.
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After the FuelModeling moisture scenario folder is attached, the Moisture Scenario Guide button on 

the Worksheet shows the following valid selections for moisture scenarios in the “Input Guide” dialog box.

To view the parameters of a particular moisture scenario, right-click on the description and select View 

parameters from the shortcut men.

When viewing folders (and files) in the "Moisture Scenario" dialog box, those scenarios with a paper clip icon 

are currently attached to (e.g., accessible for use by) the BehavePlus application. Once the Ok button is 

pressed, only the selected folders will have their files attached. Currently attached folders will NOT have their 

files attached if not selected when the Ok button is clicked. Use the Cancel button to maintain the current 

attached sets. 
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USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 87

This Worksheet creates the following graph. The fuel model used is a dynamic type, and the output graph 

indicates the dramatic effect the live fuel moisture can have when using a dynamic fuel model.

13.2. Defining and saving moisture scenarios

To define a Moisture Scenario first set the Worksheet to require individual fuel moisture values by selecting 

individual size class in the Configure > Module selection > SURFACE > Options... > Fuel & 

Moisture tab.
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Enter values for each size class on the Worksheet, even if that item is shaded. Other input text boxes don't 

matter.

Save the moisture scenario with the File > saveAs > Moisture scenario command. In the "Save As" dialog 

box enter a file name in the Moisture Scenario File text box and a short description in the Moisture 

Scenario Description text box. See Section 18.4, Save As..., for more information on saving moisture 

scenarios.
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14. Map applications

BehavePlus allows the calculation of slope steepness from map 

measurements and conversion of distances to map measurements.

Map scale is given as map representative fraction, which is the ratio of the number of units on the map between 

two points to the distance on the ground between the same two points. For example, if the map representative 

fraction is 1:24,000, then for each inch on the map there are 24,000 inches on the ground.

Although any value can be entered, the "Input Guide" dialog box provides common map scales, available by 

clicking the Choices button.

14.1. Slope from map measurements

To set up a Worksheet to calculate slope steepness from measurements on a topographic map use the 

Configure > Module selection > SURFACE > Options... > Slope tab and select the Slope 

steepness is calculated from map measurements radio button.
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You can add the calculated slope steepness and intermediate values to the output list with the Configure > 

Module selection > SURFACE > Options... > Outputs tab. Select any or all of the Slope Steepness, 

Slope Elevation Change, or Slope Horizontal Distance check boxes.

The Worksheet then includes a Map section with text boxes for data.
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The contour interval is the difference in elevation between adjacent topographic contours on a topographic 

map.

The map distance is the distance between two points on a map generally expressed in inches or centimeters.

Number of contour intervals is a count between two points on a map.

If only slope values are requested as output, then only Map input variables are requested.

14.2. Map distances

To specify that output calculated distances should also be given in map units use the Configure > Module 

selection command and select the Display output distances in map units check box below the list of 

modules.

When a distance is calculated in SURFACE, SIZE, or SPOT and the Display output distances in map 

units check box is selected, a Map Representative Fraction (1:x) text box is added to the Worksheet 

and map distances are added to the list of output variables.
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For example, when the Spread Distance check box is selected in the Configure > Module selection > 

SURFACE > Options... > Outputs tab the following Worksheet results:
USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 93

15. Units and Decimals

Default units for BehavePlus are English for use in the United States. It is 

easy to change all units to metric using the Configure > Units set 

selection > Metric command.

If a user wishes to use something other than the units we have selected for English or metric, a custom set of 

units can be defined and saved for later use. 

The Units set also defines the number of decimal places displayed for each variable. 

Note that whenever a Worksheet or Run is saved, its current units of measure and display decimals are saved 

with it. The next time you open the Worksheet or Run, the units and decimal settings are restored.

BehavePlus also provides a quick units conversion tool accessed with the Tools > Units converter

command.

15.1. English or metric

The units set can be changed using the Configure > Units set selection > English or Metric or 

Custom commands. 

Immediately upon change, the units on the active Worksheet and all values that have been entered are changed.

Because units are stored with a Worksheet or Run, if units are changed to metric and then another Worksheet 

is loaded from the ExamplesWorksheets folder, with the File > Open worksheet command, the new 

Worksheet will use English units.

15.2. Custom units set

Develop and save a custom units set using the “Units Editor” dialog box opened with the Configure > 

Custom units preferences command.

The “Units Editor” dialog box controls the selection of units of measure and decimal places for the input, 

display, and output of variables. The selected units are then applied to the current Worksheet and can be saved 

as a custom units set. 

The units of measure initially displayed by the dialog are those in use for the current Worksheet. 

Select the desired units for each variable set. Rather than repetitiously having to enter units for every variable, 

they are grouped by type of unit of measure. The help window lists the groupings.

Once you have defined and saved a custom units set, you can apply it to a Worksheet or Run with the 

Configure > Units set selection > Custom command that opens the “Select A Units Set” dialog box.

15.3. Number of decimal places

In addition to setting units of measure, the “Units Editor” dialog box also allows you to change the number of 

digits displayed after the decimal place of all input and output variables.
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For example, the variable Fire Area has 1 decimal place as the default. You may want to round area to the 

nearest acre by changing the number of decimals to 0.
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16. Tools

BehavePlus tools are stand-alone utilities. They are not linked with any 

other modules or calculations.

16.1. Fine Dead Fuel Moisture

This tool is an automation of only the daytime tables from Rothermel (1983). Since these tables are not based 

on equations, they can't effectively be linked to any other tools or modules in BehavePlus.

The "Fine Dead Fuel Moisture Tool" dialog box can be accessed with the Tools > Fine dead fuel moisture

command.

Inputs are made through the drop down lists. As soon as a change is made, the results are displayed.

You can save fine dead fuel moisture inputs and results as a HTML file by clicking the Export button. The 

Description text box at the bottom of the input section allows you to describe a header for the saved results.

When the Export button is clicked, a “Exported Results” dialog box appears.

You may navigate to any drive or directory and select an existing file or specify a new file name. The default 

location for exporting is the ExportFolder. If you haven’t already done so, you should think about your file 

management and design a structure for you project. (see Chapter 17: File Management)
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If you select an existing file, a popup will ask you to confirm overwriting the existing file. If you specify a new file 

without a “.html” or “.htm” extension, a “.html” extension is automatically added. The contents of the “Fine 

Dead Fuel Moisture Tool” dialog box are then written to the file in HTML format.

You may view the results using any web browser such as FireFox, Mozilla, or Internet Explorer. You may also 

attach the file to E-mail, or post it to a web site. You can open the exported HTML file with a spreadsheet 

application.

16.2. Relative Humidity

The “Relative Humidity” dialog box is opened with the Tools > Relative Humidity command.

The “Relative Humidity” dialog box provides three ways to calculate relative humidity depending on available 

inputs, a tab for each method. 

• All three methods require Dry Bulb Temperature as an input.

• The first tab utilizes a Wet Bulb Temperature input, the Dry Temp, Wet Depress, & Elev tab uses the 

Wet Bulb Depression (the difference between Wet and Dry Bulb Temperatures), and the third tab uses the 

Dew Point Temperature.

• The first and second tabs also require the Elevation of the temperature observations.
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On all three tabs the spin boxes are used to enter the required inputs. The plain text boxes display the outputs 

and immediately change with input changes.

Remember the RH Tool is a stand alone utility, it does not link to any other tools or modules.

16.3. Units Converter Tool

For all those times when somebody gives you an observed spread rate in furlongs/fortnight or you just need to 

know what the temperature is at that Canadian RAWS station just across the border, BehavePlus has a utility 

you can reach with the Tools > Units converter command.

In the “Units Conversion Tool” dialog box enter your known observation into the From Amount and From 

Units text boxes (12.3 meters per second in the above example). Then enter the desired units in the Into 

Units text box and click the Convert button to get your results (27.5143 miles per hour in the above 

example).

In the “Help” pane of the “Units Conversion Tool” dialog box there is a list of all the available units.

16.4. Slope vs horizontal map distance

The “Slope vs Horizontal Distance Tool” dialog box is opened by selecting the Tools > Slope vs horizontal 

map distance command.

When you select the Display output distances in map units check box from the “Module Selection” 

dialog box, map distance is found by multiplying slope distance by map scale. This is not technically correct. But 

because of the many variables that exist in the real world, the difference between slope distance and horizontal 

distance is not critical. This tool allows you to do the conversion in case you want to make the correction 
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before you plot the distance on a map. Rather than ask the user to input the direction with respect to the 

direction of steepest slope, several common options are calculated.

16.5. Sun-Moon Calendar

The "Sun-Moon Calendar" dialog box is opened with the Tools > Sun-moon calendar command.

The Location tab allows you to specify any month of any year at a location on the globe. The tool also 

includes a large database of named places within the United States so you can select a location by name rather 

than by coordinates.
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The Contents tab lets you select the outputs you need.

You can generate sun-rise, sun-set, civil dawn, civil dusk, moon-rise, and moon-set times in table or calendar 

format. It can also display a table of equinox, solstice, and moon phases for the year.

Example table of sun-rise, sun-set, civil dawn, civil dusk, moon-rise, and moon-set times.
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17. File management

17.1. Workspaces

BehavePlus has a proscribed file system structure; all files must be located in specific subdirectories. The parent 

directory of this file structure and all its subdirectories and files are collectively known as a Workspace.

A Workspace is a complete subdirectory tree containing all required BehavePlus files plus any additional 

Worksheet, Run, Fuel Model, Moisture Scenario, Units Set, or screen capture files saved by the user. A 

Workspace can correspond to a single BehavePlus project. Workspaces are created with either the File > 

Workspaces > New workspace or Clone current workspace commands.

When BehavePlus is first installed it has a single Workspace called "DefaultDataFolder". This is the default 

current Workspace every time BehavePlus is started.

We recommend you create a new Workspace using the File > Workspaces > New Workspace command 

for every BehavePlus project you're working on. A project can be a collection of fire behavior projections for a 

wildfire or a fuels analysis for an environmental impact statement. The new, “pristine” Workspace is 

automatically populated with all example Worksheets, example Runs, and standard and predefined custom fuel 

models just like the DefaultDataFolder Workspace.

Alternatively, you may clone an existing Workspace with the File > Workspaces > Clone current 

workspace command to copy all of the current Workspace into a new Workspace, including all Run, Units 

Sets, custom Fuel Models, and custom Moisture Scenarios.

The Workspace concept provides the following benefits:

• All files pertaining to a specific training class, fire situation, or other project are segregated into their own 

file structure.

• Workspaces are easily backed up or copied onto removable media using either the File > Workspaces 

> Clone current workspace command or Windows Explorer.

• BehavePlus has self-validation tests and informs you whenever it is missing required files.

• BehavePlus knows where to find all custom Fuel Models and Moisture Scenarios and include them in 

Guide Button dialog boxes.
File management BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide

102 USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008

We recommend using a compression utility such as WinZip, PKZip, or gzip when E-mailing or moving a 

Workspace over the Internet as compression significantly reduces BehavePlus file sizes.

A list of three letter file extensions used by BehavePlus is shown in the following table. These extensions are 

automatically attached to the files you create in BehavePlus.

17.2. Load a Worksheet

A previously saved Worksheet is loaded with the File > Open worksheet command, which opens the 

“Select a Worksheet” dialog box.

The Worksheet is 'blank' in that none of the input variables have been assigned values. But all of the associated 

options are still part of the Worksheet (e.g., graph appearance). 

17.3. Load a Run

A previously saved Run is loaded through File > Open Run command, which opens the “Select a Run” dialog 

box.

A Run is a Worksheet with valid values assigned to all input variables. Calculated values, tables, graphs, and 

diagrams are not saved. These are generated with the File > Calculate command.

17.4. Save as...

There are five File > saveAs... commands offering several choices of what to save from the active Worksheet 

or Run:

• File > Save as a worksheet - When a Worksheet is saved, it is saved without any values assigned to 

input variables. The Worksheet can be opened at a later time using the File > Open worksheet command or the toolbar button. 

• File > Save as a run - A Run can be saved only if all valid values have been assigned to all variables on 

the Worksheet. The Run can be opened at a later time using the File > Open run command or the 

toolbar button.

• File > Save as a fuel model - Fuel models can be saved in either BehavePlus or the FARSITE Custom 

Fuel Model (.fmd) format. Before saving a fuel model make sure the SURFACE module check box is 

selected and the fuel parameters check box is selected in the Fuel is entered as section of the 

File extension File type Folder

.bpf Custom fuel models FuelModelFolder

.bpm Moisture scenarios MoistureScenarioFolder

.bpw Worksheets WorksheetFolder

.bpr Runs RunFolder

.bpu Custom Units Sets UnitsSetFolder

.exe Executable program file BehavePlus

.png Portable network graphic image format MyScreenCaptures

.bmp Bitmap graphic image format MyScreenCaptures

.jpg JPEG graphic image format MyScreenCaptures

.xml Extensible Markup Language Various places
BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide File management

USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 103

SURFACE > Options... > Fuel & Moisture tab. Valid values must be assigned to each fuel model 

parameter. Also make sure the Fuel Model Type parameter is correct, dynamic (D) fuel models must 

have a live herbaceous fuel load. (see Section 12.4) To use custom fuel models at a later time they must be 

attached with the Configure > Fuel model set selection command. (see Section 12.5.2)

• File > Save as a moisture scenario - Before saving a moisture scenario make sure the SURFACE 

module is selected and the individual size class check box is selected in the Moisture is entered 

by section of the SURFACE > Options... > Fuel & Moisture tab. Valid values must be assigned to 

each size class, even those that are shaded. To make a moisture scenario available use the Configure > 

moisture scenario set selection command. (See Section 13.2)

• File > Save as an image - Images of table, graph, and diagram screens can all be saved as an image file. 

The image file can then be edited with an image processor or inserted into word processor or layout documents. (See Section 10.5.1)

The following example saves a Worksheet. The process is similar for other file types. The File > Save as a 

worksheet command requests input of folder name, file name, file description, or file type in the “Save As” 

dialog box.

In this case, the Worksheet Folder text box is initially set to MyWorksheets. To create a new folder, simply 

type a new name into the Worksheet Folder text box: TestFolder in the example below.
File management BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide

104 USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008

You are asked to enter a Worksheet folder description. The folder description subsequently appears in the file 

selection dialog box as a reminder of its contents. The Worksheet description is initially set to whatever is in 

the Description text box on the Worksheet. When saving a Worksheet, you should assure that it describes 

the blank Worksheet, not the specific Run.

17.5. Deleting Files & Folders

Files and folders in a BehavePlus Workspace are deleted using Windows Explorer. However you should only 

delete files and folders you create, not any of the files and folders BehavePlus automatically creates for the 

Workspace.

17.6. Export Results

Table output can be saved as an HTML file using the File > Export Results command. The default location is 

the ExportFolder, but you can save results to any location.

The HTML file can be viewed with a web browser or used in a web page. It is a compact format to email 

BehavePlus outputs.

HTML files can be opened with a spreadsheet application such as Microsoft Excel. If tables are reformatted, 

plotted, or if additional analysis is done, save the your work in the spreadsheet file format.
USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 105

18. Help

The Help system is a primary feature of BehavePlus. The Users Guide and 

Variables paper are available from the menu bar, and all dialogs and wizards 

include a help browser pane. Input fields include a Guide button for help in entering range inputs or selecting 

one or more discrete choices. 

18.1. Browser pane help

The right-hand pane of many BehavePlus dialog boxes is a help browser. These can be printed by right-clicking in 

the help window to display a shortcut menu and selecting the appropriate command.

It includes a description of input variables when the guide button associated with the variable on the Worksheet 

is clicked. It includes a description of output variables when the cursor is held over a variable name on the list 

of possible output variables for a MODULE, reached through Configure > Module selection > MODULE 

> Options... > Outputs tab.

For each variable, information includes a description of the variable and a table showing the modules that use it. 

Some variables have additional descriptions, diagrams, and tables.

18.2. Guide button

Help on entering a specific Worksheet variable is available by pressing the Guide button next to each 

Worksheet entry field to activate an "Input Guide" dialog box containing a help browser pane and input 

assistance. For continuous variables, the dialog facilitates entry of a large number of inputs by specifying the 

minimum input value, maximum input value, and increment value.
Help BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide

106 USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008

Additional values are sometimes displayed by clicking the Choices button where available in the "Input Guide" 

dialog box.

For discrete variables the dialog contains a list of all valid inputs from which the user may select values.

18.3. User's Guide

This User's Guide can either be printed or accessed interactively using a PDF viewer such as Adobe Acrobat 

Reader. It serves as the online help for operation of the BehavePlus application. It can be opened with the Help 

> User’s Guide command. When viewed with the Adobe Acrobat Reader, the contents at the left provide 

access to the section in question.

18.4. Variables paper

The Variables paper (Andrews 2008) can be either printed or accessed interactively using a PDF viewer such as 

Adobe Acrobat Reader. It includes descriptions of the many input and output variables in BehavePlus. It can be 

opened by selecting the Help > Variables command. When viewed on the computer screen, the contents at 

the left provide access to the section in question. There is also an alphabetical list of variables, a table of input 

variables, with the modules that use them, and a table of output variables available from each module. There are 

many hyperlinks in the document, which make it most valuable when viewed using a PDF viewer.
USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 107

References

Anderson, Hal E. 1982. Aids to Determining Fuel Models For Estimating Fire Behavior. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-122. 

Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station. 22 p.

Andrews, Patricia L. 1986. BEHAVE: fire behavior prediction and fuel modeling system-BURN subsystem, Part 1. 

Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-194. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research 

Station. 130 p.

Andrews, Patricia L. 2007. BehavePlus fire modeling system: past, present, and future. In ‘Proceedings of 7th 

Symposium on Fire and Forest Meteorological Society’, 23-25 October 2007, Bar Harbor, Maine, 13 pages. 

http://ams.confex.com/ams/pdfpapers/126669.pdf

Andrews, Patricia L. 2008. BehavePlus fire modeling system, version 4.0: Variables. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR213-WWW. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 

107 p.

Andrews, Patricia L. and Collin D. Bevins. 1999. Update and expansion of the BEHAVE fire behavior prediction 

system. 3rd International Conference on Forest Fire Research; 14th Conference on Fire and Forest 

Meteorology. 21-22 November 1998, Luco-Coimbra, Portugal. Vol. I, pp.733-740. 

Andrews, Patricia L.; Bradshaw, Larry S. 1990. RXWINDOW: Defining windows of acceptable burning 

conditions based on desired fire behavior. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-273. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Forest Service. Intermountain Research Station. 54 p.

Andrews, Patricia L.; Chase, Carolyn H. 1989. BEHAVE: fire behavior prediction and fuel modeling systemBURN subsystem, Part 2. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-260. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, 

Intermountain Research Station. 93 p.

Brown, J. K. and D. G. Simmerman. 1986. Appraising Fuels and Flammability in Western Aspen: A Prescribed 

Fire Guide. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-205. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, 

Rocky Mountain Research Station. 51 p.

Burgan, Robert E.; Rothermel, Richard C. 1984. BEHAVE: fire behavior prediction and fuel modeling systemFUEL subsystem. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-167. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, 

Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 126 p. 

Finney, Mark A. 1998. FARSITE: Fire area simulator-model development and evaluation. Res. Pap. RMRS-RP-4. 

Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 47 p.

Finney, M. A. 2006. An overview of FlamMap fire modeling capabilities. Pages 213-220 in P. L. Andrews and B. W. 

Butler, editors. Fuels Management--How to Measure Success, Portland, OR.

Fried, J.S. and B.D. Fried. 1996. Simulating Wildfire Containment with Realistic Tactics. Forest Science 42:267-

281.

Rothermel, Richard C. 1972. A mathematical model for predicting fire spread in wildland fuels. Res. Pap. INT115. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment 

Station. 40 p. 

Rothermel, Richard C. 1983. How to Predict the Spread and Intensity of Forest and Range Fires. Gen. Tech. 

Rep. INT-143. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range 

Experiment Station. 161 p.

Rothermel, Richard C. 1991. Predicting behavior and size of crown fires in the northern Rocky Mountains. Res. 

Pap. INT-438. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range 

Experiment Station.

Scott, Joe H.; Burgan, Robert E. 2005. Standard Fire Behavior Fuel Models: A Comprehensive Set for Use with 

Rothermel's Surface Fire Spread Model. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-153. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 78 p.

Van Wagner, C.E. 1977. Conditions for the start and spread of crown fire. Can. J. For. Res. 7:23-34.
108 USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008

Appendix: Version Comparison

Summary of changes from the old BEHAVE through each version of BehavePlus

The BEHAVE fire behavior prediction and fuel modeling system was first available to the field in 1984. JFSP 

funded a much-needed redesign and update to the BehavePlus fire modeling system version 1.0, which was 

released in 2002. Version 2.0 was released in 2003, Version 3.0 in 2005, and Version 4.0 in 2008. Each version 

update has offered additional features and fire modeling capabilities. The most significant changes are given here.

BehavePlus version 1 compared to the old BEHAVE 

The old BEHAVE fire behavior prediction and fuel modeling system is a set of five DOS programs, three of 

which were first available in 1984. The whole look and feel of the BehavePlus fire modeling system is different, 

using updated user interface technology. Following are some specific differences that will be of interest to users 

of the old BEHAVE system:

• BehavePlus is one program. The old BEHAVE was 5 programs (FIRE1, FIRE2, RXWINDOW, NEWMDL, 

TSTMDL). The separation was due to computer limitations at the time and an extended development 

period.

• BehavePlus gives the user control of input options that were fixed on the old BEHAVE. For example, the 

BehavePlus SURFACE module allows users to specify the method of entry for fuel moisture, wind speed, 

and directions. In the old BEHAVE:

- The DIRECT module required direct input of fuel moisture by size class, midflame wind speed, and 

direction of wind and spread with respect to upslope.

- The SITE module calculated fine fuel moisture and requested input of 20-ft wind speed, exposure to 

the wind, and direction of wind and spread.

- The DISPATCH module requested dead and live fuel moisture, 20-ft wind speed and wind adjustment 

factor. Calculations were for upslope spread with the wind.

- In the TSTMDL program, fuel moisture was specified by category.

• In BEHAVE only continuous variables could be assigned more than one value for a maximum of 7 values. 

For example, wind speed could be assigned a range of values, but fuel model could not. BehavePlus allows 

multiple input values for every variable and there is essentially no limit to the number of values. Table 

output is carried over to multiple pages if necessary.

• BehavePlus produces graphs and diagrams as well as tables. The primary output of the old BEHAVE was 

tables. Crude graphs were produced using characters.

• The fuel modeling portion of the old BEHAVE consisted of the NEWMDL and TSTMDL programs. The 

features in NEWMDL are not in BehavePlus. The TSTMDL fuel model testing methods are in BehavePlus.

• BehavePlus does not include the fine dead fuel moisture model in MOISTURE and SITE modules in the 

FIRE2 program of BEHAVE. A better moisture model based on hourly weather data has been developed 

and is used in FARSITE and is being incorporated into the National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) 

and the FireFamily Plus program. Eventually it will be available for fire behavior calculations in BehavePlus. 

BehavePlus offers the fuel moisture tables as a tool.

• The CONTAIN module of BehavePlus is different from that used in BEHAVE. The old model had a 

mathematical problem that occasionally surfaced. BehavePlus uses a model by Fried and Fried (1996) that 

offers the application of multiple resources with various productivity rates and arrival times, and direct or 

parallel attack at either the fire head or rear. BehavePlus does not offer the option of reverse calculation 

that was in the old BEHAVE (i.e. given a final fire size, what is the required line production rate).

• The RxWindow program is not and will not be part of BehavePlus. Reverse calculation becomes more 

difficult (essentially impossible) as models are added. The plan is to provide a new method of table shading 

to aid in prescribed fire planning.
BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide 

USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 109

• The equations in the MORTALITY module in BehavePlus have been updated to match those of FOFEM. 

Many new tree species have been added.

• BehavePlus lists input values by category (Fuel/Vegetation, Weather, ...) rather than by module (DIRECT, 

SIZE, ...) as was done in the old BEHAVE.

• In BehavePlus users select the output variables to be displayed. In BEHAVE the output list was fixed.

• Map distance calculation was a stand-alone feature in BEHAVE. It is integrated into BehavePlus.

• BEHAVE asked users whether they were using a computer with a screen. The program could be run in 

either WORDY or TERSE mode. BehavePlus assumes that it is being run on a 21st century personal 

computer.

BehavePlus version 2 compared to version 1

• Safety zone size model is added as a new SAFETY module.

• Containment model is added as a new CONTAIN module. This is a new model that allows multiple 

resources to make direct or parallel attack.

• Probability of ignition by lightning model is added to the IGNITE module.

• Three methods of weighting two fuel models for rate of spread calculations is added to the SURFACE 

module.

• Dynamic palmetto-gallberry fuel model (Hough and Albini 1978) is added to the SURFACE module.

• Size diagram output is added to SIZE.

• Contain diagram output is in CONTAIN.

• Direction diagram is added to SURFACE.

• Fire characteristics chart diagram output is added to SURFACE.

• Fine dead fuel moisture is added as a new tool.

• A Run Option section is added to the worksheets for clarification.

• The contents of the Notes section on example worksheets is blank. The description of the worksheet 

that was there for version 1 is not necessary, especially with the addition of the Run Options section.

• The 'Standard' worksheet folder that was supplied with version 1 of the program is called the 

ExampleWorksheets folder in version 2 to better reflect what it is. The worksheets in that folder are just 

some that the developers put together. The term 'standard' gave them significance that they didn't deserve.

• The Blank.bpw Worksheet that was in version 1 is called the 0Startup.bpw Worksheet in version 2 to 

better reflect what it is, the worksheet to use as a startup in selecting calculation modules. (The '0' as a first 

character of the file name puts it as the first item on the list for easy selection.)

• The program now automatically loads the 0Startup.bpw worksheet upon initiation. This saves some steps 

if the worksheet is set up by module selection. If a previously saved worksheet is desired, it is selected and 

loaded as before with File > New.

• The Fuel model guide button gives you access to the photographs and descriptions in Anderson (1982) 

"Aids to selecting fuel models" and to the selection key in Rothermel (1983) "How to predict the spread 

and intensity of forest and range fires".

• The Program Help and the Users Guide for version 1 have been replaced by a single, new document-a 

users guide in PDF format that can be both printed and accessed online for specific help.

• A Language option has been added. Portuguese is provided as an example.

• Additional Workspace options aid in file management.

• Graph y-axes are now user-scalable.

BehavePlus version 3 compared to version 2

• A new CROWN module to calculate transition to crown fire and crown fire spread rate is added.

• Calculation of wind adjustment factor (WAF) for fuel sheltered by overstory trees is added to SURFACE.
 BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide

110 USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008

• Table shading according to user-specified ranges of acceptable conditions for prescribed fire planning is 

available.

• A CONTAIN option is added for single resource dispatch so tables and graphs can be produced for 

ranges of line construction rate, etc.

• The ability to export table output to a spreadsheet for further analysis or custom display is available.

• RH module is replaced by an RH tool.

• The step function from the calculation of probability of ignition by a firebrand is resolved and removed.

• Forty new surface fuel models, some with dynamic herbaceous live-to-dead fuel load transfer as a 

function of live fuel moisture are available in SURFACE.

• A new moisture scenario set (named "FuelModeling") that was used to develop the new fuel models is 

added.

• Custom fuel models can be exported in the file format required by FARSITE, FlamMap, and NEXUS.

• When the program starts up, a new BasicStart.bpw example worksheet is automatically loaded.

• Module names are included on the Output Variables and Run Options lists for added clarity.

• The Fuel/Vegetation worksheet section has been split into Surface/Understory and Overstory

sections.

• The Worksheet tab on the “Appearance Options” dialog box has a new option Show descriptions 

only for entered variable codes as well as the Show descriptions for all discrete variable 

codes. The new option is the default for example worksheets.

• A SurfaceCrown.bpw worksheet has been added to the set of example worksheets.

• An updated User's Guide reflects operational changes. An index has been added.

• In-program help screens are updated with variable definitions and explanations.

• Tutorials 1- 4 are updated and reorganized.

• New tutorials focus on new modeling capabilities.

BehavePlus version 4 compared to version 3

• The User's Guide is updated to reflect operational changes.

• A new Variables paper includes variable descriptions from the help windows and input/output tables 

(Andrews 2008). The PDF document is available through the help system and includes many internal 

linkages to make it a useful reference guide.

• As part of a JFSP funded project, the tutorials were updated, new lessons are available, and a plan for 

future training material development was prepared.

• The BehavePlus program and supporting material has been moved to a new web site: 

www.firemodels.org, for fire behavior and fire danger software.

• Photographs and values for canopy cover, stand height, canopy bulk density, and canopy base height are 

available in help windows. The information is taken from Scott and Reinhardt (2005) “Stereo photo guide 

for estimating fuel characteristics in conifer stands.”

• The user has the option of identifying a worksheet to open at startup, rather than the BasicStart.bpw 

worksheet.

• A tool was added to calculate horizontal map distance from ground map distance and direction with 

respect to upslope.

• The option was added to not impose the maximum reliable wind speed limit for the Rothermel surface 

fire spread model. Spread rate increases with increasing wind speed rather than being constant for high 

wind speeds.

• The option was added to input curing level (fuel load transfer portion) for dynamic fuel models rather 

than calculating curing from live herbaceous fuel moisture.

• A special case fuel model was added for western aspen (Brown and Simmerman 1986).
BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide 

USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 111

• If bark thickness is a user input for the MORTALITY module, Mortality Equation (spruce or notspruce) is an input variable on the Worksheet. This clarifies that the 206 species available for mortality 

species is used only to calculate bark thickness.

• Additional output variables are available for SURFACE. Intermediate output values will aid 

understanding of the Rothermel surface fire spread model.

• Fuel model names were changed to specifically mention short and long needle litter and to clarify that the 

fuel models are for surface fuel, not for the overstory.

- 8 “Closed timber litter” to “Short needle litter”

- 9 “Hardwood litter” to “Long needle or hardwood litter”

- 10 “Timber with litter & understory” to “Timber litter & understory”

- TU4 “Dwarf conifer with understory” to “Dwarf conifer understory”

• Output variables were added to help understanding of calculated Wind Adjustment Factor: Crown fill 

portion and WAF calculation (sheltered or unsheltered).

• Crown fire area and perimeter output variables were added, using the equations in Rothermel (1991).

• “Conditional crown fire” was added as a “fire type”. In version 3 if Transition to crown fire? was “no”, 

then the fire type was “surface”, whether Active crown fire? was “yes” or “no”.

• Changes to the main menu are more logical. For example, File > New is now File > Open 

worksheet.

• File > saveAs > Results > Spreadsheet or Html is now File > Export Results. In version 3, 

save as spreadsheet saved the output table without input values as a .txt file. In version 4, only html files are 

exported. These files can be viewed in a web browser, or they can be opened with spreadsheet software 

and then saved in spreadsheet format.

• An ExportFolder has been added as the default location for Export Results.

• For the option Table shading for acceptable fire conditions, the option is added to produce 

tables with blank cells rather than crossed out values. The option is available in Configure > 

Appearance preferences > Tables tab.

• Values entered in the “Fine dead fuel moisture” tool are remembered the next time the tool is used for 

the current session.

• Another option has been added for worksheet header lines, for prescribed fire planning.

• The Language option was eliminated. Portuguese was available in version 3, as an example of how a 

translated version of BehavePlus could be developed. Due to lack of interest, the option has been disabled 

for now.

• In version 3.0.2, the program sometimes ran slowly or not at all, particularly when installed in the default 

directory of C:/SEM. This has been fixed in version 4.0.
USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 112

Index

A

acceptable fire conditions 42

Worksheet section 19

attaching

custom fuel models 82

moisture scenarios 85

axis origins 49

axis scales 48

B

BasicStart.bpw 15

bmp 73

borders

Worksheet 10

bpf 84

browser, using a 74

Button

Choices 33, 89

Convert 97

Export 95

first page 71

Guide 15, 31

Initialize from a Fuel Model 81

last page 71

next page 71

Options 23

previous page 71

C

Calculate Results dialog box 35, 36, 45, 46, 47,

48, 51

capture 73

cascade display 72

changing a Worksheet 22

check box

Contain Status 69

Display Graph Results 45

Display output distances in map units 91

Display table results 35

Fire Characteristics Chart 63

Fire projection documentation 17

Fire Shape Diagram 66

Shade alternate table rows 38

Show description for all discrete variable codes

18, 19

Show descriptions only for entered discrete

variable codes 18

Slope Elevation Change 90

Slope Horizontal Distance 90

Slope Steepness 90

Table shading for acceptable fire conditions 19,

41

Training documentation 17

Wind/Slope/Spread Direction Diagram 59

Choices button 33

civil dawn 98

civil dusk 98

clone Workspace 101

colors

graph 56

Contain Status check box 69

containment shape diagram 69

continuous variable 13

entering 31

contour interval 91

Convert button 97

create

custom fuel models 81

moisture scenario 87

Workspace 101

curve points 58

custom fuel models 80

attaching 82

creating 81

FARSITE format 84

saving 81

set selection 82

D

decimal places 93

DefaultDataFolder 101

define

custom fuel models 81

moisture scenario 87

delete

files and folders 104

dew point temperature 96

diagram 59

containment shape 69

fire characteristics chart 63

fire shape 66

image 73

Wind/slope/spread direction 59

dialog box

Appearance Options 20

Calculate Results - see Calculate Results dialog

box

Error 75

Fine Dead Fuel Moisture Tool 95

Fuel Model 82

Fuel Model Export Selection 84

Graph Limits 52

Input Guide 13, 31

Module Selection 23, 41
BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide Index

USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 113

Moisture Scenario 85, 86

Mortality Module Options 24

Relative Humidity Tool 96

Save as 103

Select a Run 102

Select A Units Set 93

Select a Worksheet 21, 81, 102

Sun-Moon Calendar 98

Surface Module Options 90

Units Editor 93, 94

Directions tab 59

discrete variable 13

codes 18

entering 32

Display Graph Results check box 45

Display output distances in map units check box 91

Display table results check box 35

documentation section 16

dynamic fuel models 79

E

entering input variables 31

error checking 75

example Worksheet

0Startup.bpw 22

BasicStart.bpw 15

FuelModeling.bpw 81

SurfaceBasicFrom.bpw 16

expanded fuel models 77

export

custom fuel models 84

fine dead fuel moisture 95

HTML file 73, 95

spreadsheet 73

table output 73

text file 73

Export button 95

F

FARSITE 1, 84

file

Custom Fuel Model 84

HTML 73

image 73

spreadsheet 73

tab delimited text 73

file extensions 12, 102

bmp 73

bpf 84

fmd 84

html 73

jpg 73

png 73

file management 101

file structure 12, 101

Fine 95

Fine Dead Fuel Moisture Tool dialog box 95

fire characteristics chart 63

Fire Characteristics Chart check box 63

Fire projection documentation check box 17

fire shape diagram 66

Fire Shape Diagram check box 66

first page toolbar button 71

FlamMap 1, 84

fmd 84

folder

description 104

new 103

folders

delete 104

Fuel Model

dialog box 82

Input Guide 77, 82

Fuel Model Export Selection dialog box 84

fuel models 77

attaching custom sets 82

create custom 81

custom 80

definition 13

dynamic 79

expanded set 77

FARSITE format 84

palmetto-gallberry 78

parameters 81

Save as 102

save custom 81

set selection 82

standard 13 77

type 79

fuel moisture correction 95

fuel parameters 81

FuelModeling.bpw 81

G

Graph Elements tab 53

Graph Size tab 53

graphs 45

appearence 53

axis scales 48

colors 56

curve points 58

image 73

limits 52

line widths 57

title 54

two variable 46

X-axis 49

Y-axis 50
Index BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide

114 USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008

Guide button 15, 31

definition 13

H

HTML file 73, 95

I

image 73

Initialize from a Fuel Model button 81

input codes 18

Input Guide dialog box 13, 31

Fuel Model 77, 82

Map Representative Fraction 89

Moisture Scenario 86

input section 17

input variables

entering 31

linked 34

multiple values 31, 32

ranges 31, 32

installation

Windows 11

invalid input 75

J

jpg 73

L

last page toolbar button 71

line widths

graphs 57

Linked input variables 34

live herbacous moisture 79

loading

custom fuel models 82

fuel models 77

moisture scenarios 85

Run 102

Worksheet 21, 102

M

map

applications 89

distances 91

representative fraction 89, 91

scale 89

Map Representative Fraction dialog box 89

Model

definition 13

Module Selection dialog box 23, 41

Modules 23

definition 13

input options 24

linking 23

output options 28

moisture scenario 85

attaching sets 85

define 87

save 88

Save as 103

using 85

viewing 86

moon-rise 98

moon-set 98

Mortality Module Options dialog box 24

N

new

folder 103

Workspace 101

next page toolbar button 71

NEXUS 84

notes section 20

number of curve points 58

O

Operation 7

Options button 23

output variables

tab 59, 63

output variables section 19

outputs

diagram - see diagram

graphs - see graphs

image 73

map distances 91

table shading 41

tables 35, 36, 43

two way tables 36

variables 28, 41

P

page buttons 71

page header section 16

page tabs 20

palmetto-gallberry 78

png 73

prescription window 41

previous page toolbar button 71

print 73

R

range of acceptable fire conditions 42

reference fuel moisture 95

Relative Humidity Tool dialog box 96

Run

definition 12

delete 104

load 102

Save as 102
BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide Index

USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008 115

run option notes section 19

RXWINDOW 41

S

Save as 102

custom fuel model 82, 102

dialog box 103

HTML file 73, 95

image 73

images 103

moisture scenario 88, 103

results 103

Run 22, 102

spreadsheet 73

tab delimited file 73

Worksheet 22, 102

screen capture 73

sections - see Worksheet sections

Select a Run dialog box 102

Select A Units Set dialog box 93

Select a Worksheet dialog box 102

set selection

fuel models 77

moisture scenarios 85

units 93

Shade alternate table rows check box 38

Show description for all discrete variable codes

check box 18, 19

Show descriptions only for entered discrete variable

codes check box 18

size, window 71

slope

from map measurements 89

Slope Elevation Change check box 90

Slope Horizontal Distance check box 90

Slope Steepness check box 90

spreadsheet 73

standard fuel models 77

Startup Worksheet 22

steepness

from map measurements 89

sub-models

list 7, 10

Sun-Moon Calander Tool 98

sun-rise 98

sun-set 98

SurfaceBasicFrom.bpw 16

system requirements 11

T

tab delimited text file 73

table shading

for acceptable fire conditions 41

for readability 38

Table shading for acceptable fire conditions check

box 19, 41

Tables

appearance 38

multiple pages 38

output 35, 36

row shading 38

saving 73, 103

tabs

Directions 59

Gragh Size - see Graph Size tab

Graph Elements 53

Graph Size 53

Output variables 59, 63

Outputs 90

page 20

tiled display 72

time

civil dawn 98

civil dusk 98

moon-rise 98

moon-set 98

sun-rise 98

sun-set 98

title

graphs 54

toolbar button 14

first page 71

last page 71

next page 71

previous page 71

tools

Relative Humidity 95, 96

Sun-Moon Calendar 98

Training documentation check box 17

two variable graph 46

two way tables 36

U

units 93

custom set 93

decimal places 93

English 93

metric 93

Units Editor dialog box 93, 94

V

variables

input-see input variables

output-see output variables

view size 71

viewing

fuel model parameters 82

moisture scenario 86
Index BehavePlus v4.0 User’s Guide

116 USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-106WWW Revised. 2008

W

web browser 74

wet bulb depression 96

wet bulb temperature 96

Wind/Slope/Spread Direction Diagram check box

59

Window 72

cascade 72

size 71

tiled 72

Windows installation 11

Worksheet 15–22

borders 10

definition 12

delete 104

editing 22

example - see example Worksheets

extension 12

layout 15

load 21, 102

Map section 90

Save as 102

saving 22

size 71

startup 22

Worksheet sections 16

acceptable fire conditions 19

documentation 16

input 17

notes 20

output variables 19

page header 16

run option notes 19

Workspace 101

clone 101

definition 13

new 101

X

X-axis 49

X-axis origin 49

Y

Y-axis 50

Y-axis origin 49
 The Rocky Mountain Research Station develops scientific information 

and technology to improve management, protection, and use of the 

forests and rangelands. Research is designed to meet the needs of 

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private organizations, academic institutions, industry, and individuals. 

Studies accelerate solutions to problems involving ecosystems, 

range, forests, water, recreation, fire, resource inventory, land 

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2150 Centre Avenue, Building A, Fort Collins, CO 80526

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