In this work, the outcomes of interactions of counter-rotating vortex pairs with developing ignition kernels are studied. The conditions are selected to represent those in a lean-burn natural-gas engine with hot-jet ignition. The evolution of flame surface area during kernel-vortex interaction is quantitatively and qualitatively examined. It is observed that flame development is accelerated and the net flame surface area growth rate, i.e. heat release rate, increased with increasing vortex velocity. In general, increasing the vortex length scale increases the surface growth rate, i.e. increases heat release rates, but for small length scales, i.e. when the ratio of vortex length scale to kernel diameter is small, high flame curvature induced during the interaction leads to flame weakening and slower growth rates. When the vortex velocity is high relative to the flame speed and the length scale is comparable to the kernel diameter, the vortex breaks through the ignition kernel carrying with it hot products of combustion. This accelerates growth of the flame surface area and heat release rates compared to a kernel with no vortex interaction. On decreasing the vortex velocity and increasing the length scale, the wrinkling of the kernel becomes important. This also results in increased surface growth rates and higher heat release rates. (C) 2010 The Combustion Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.