Abstract: In order to study the sensitivity of Wenner-α / Wenner-Schlumberger array detections and magnetic measure- ment to central burning temperature,buried depth and burning duration,the geo-electrical and geo-magnetic models of coal fires were established. The comparison and analysis results of forward and inverse simulation illustrate that Wen- ner-α array can be adopted for detecting the coal fires with buried depth larger than 50 m while Wenner-Schumberger array can be applied for the shallow survey within 50 m,and also,the inversion results of central temperature and bur- ied depth of both arrays are reasonably accurate. Magnetic method could delineate the borders of coal fires accurately and effectively,but it is difficult to quantitatively determine the temperature and buried depth of burning center. The research results could provide a reference for the accurate and efficient detection of coal fires and data postprocessing according to the forward models and inversion results.