Experimental measurements have tested the effect of an external heat flux on the pyrolysis and combustion of charring materials using a cone calorimeter and a radiation platform, particularly with a small heat flux. Differences in the pyrolysis and burning of wood under strong and weak heat fluxes are discussed. Also, a modified model of pyrolysis for charring materials in a fire is proposed. In this model some special factors that affect pyrolysis, such as heat loss by convection and radiation caused by the surface temperature rising and also shrinkage of the char's external surface, are considered. The pyrolysis of wood and the time to ignition is predicted using the model, which is also used to explain the mechanism of the pyrolysis of wood exposed to weak external fluxes for long times. (C) 2003 The Combustion Institute. All rights reserved.