Frame-by-frame analysis of the motion of individual soot particles then reveals how quickly gases within the fire are moving, and allows fire behaviour to be scrutinised in detail.

ECONOMIST: Next, the fire forecast

Community support officers have joined housing officers, the fire service and anti-social behaviour teams in the visit around Amber Valley.

BBC: Community urged to raise concerns

Fed with digitised topographical data and a weather forecast, it can make a fair stab at predicting the behaviour of a bush fire.

ECONOMIST: Computer models may soon help to predict forest fires

Mr Taylor, 34, who lived near the family in Victory Road, said he was surprised by Mr Philpott's behaviour in the aftermath of the fire.

BBC: Derby

One particular question they plan to address is whether the behaviour and severity of the High Park fire was affected by the spread of mountain pine beetle, a pest that is rapidly overrunning Colorado because its breeding season has been extended by the warming climate.

ECONOMIST: Terrestrial ecology: NEON light | The