This numerical study deals with the hazardous ignition of a jet flame in a vitiated co-flow. A novel formulation, based on a passive scalar variable, will be presented to predict hydrogen auto-ignition events. The model, derived from the theoretical analysis of the Jacobian, correctly describes the appearance and absence of auto-ignition in complex configurations based on initial thermodynamic and mixture conditions. No chemical reaction and species equations are required to perform the simulations. Results of Lattice Boltzmann Methods (LBM) simulations of a 3D H-2/N-2 Cabra flame will be presented using a detailed H-2-Air mechanism. Validation against experimental and numerical results will be provided for the lift-off (distance to auto-ignition). The passive scalar predictions are successfully compared with the reactive simulations. The results show a potential extension of this model to an extensive spectrum of hydrogen safety and large-scale turbulent combustion applications. (C) 2022 The Combustion Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.