High temperatures and low humidity also dry out fuel sources, causing them to ignite and burn faster. This is why wildfires typically become more intense and spread fastest in the afternoon, when the air is hottest. How do wildfires spread so quickly? Warmer temperatures and lower relative humidity make the fuels more receptive to ignition. …
They are a force of nature: imagine trying to stop a hurricane. Yet the government has to try, because more than a 100 million Americans now live in — or near — forests and grasslands that can erupt in flames. Should wildfires be stopped altogether? They should be stopped because the emissions from wildfires affects …
Wildfire smoke is a mix of gases and fine particles from burning vegetation, building materials, and other materials. Wildfire smoke can make anyone sick. Even someone who is healthy can get sick if there is enough smoke in the air. How can wildfire smoke hurt your health? Those at greater risk of these effects are: …
, and wildfire season. Wildfires leave behind toxic debris in the air, soil, and waterways, requiring billion-dollar cleanups in some cases, and they can also have a long-lasting, costly impact on human health. An answer is that this involves: Removing flammable materials from around your home’s perimeter. Practicing regular landscaping to remove dead grass and …
A good number of wildfires get started by lightning. It is a bit hard to imagine, but investigators confirm this as very common. When lightning strikes, it can produce a spark. There are three weather ingredients that can affect wildfires: Temperature, wind, and moisture. While I was writing we ran into the query “How to …
There are still two major wildfires burning in Colorado. Hayden Pass Fire The Hayden Pass Fire is burning near Coaldale, about 20 miles southeast of Salida. The fire has burned 16,559 acres since it started July 8. Currently, Colorado is reporting one large wildfire near Eagle. The Sylvan fire has so far consumed about 3,800 …
Wildfires can create their own weather systems that can produce lightning, hail, and tornadoes. Wildfires can start with a natural occurrence—such as a lightning strike —or a human-made spark. However, it is often the weather conditions that determine how much a wildfire grows. Wind, high temperatures, and little rainfall can all leave trees, shrubs, fallen …
Wildfires increase air pollution in surrounding areas and can affect regional air quality. The effects of smoke from wildfires can range from eye and respiratory tract irritation to more serious disorders, including reduced lung function, bronchitis, exacerbation of asthma and heart failure, and premature death. One of the next things we wondered was; why are …
A wildfire that is 70% contained has complete control lines around 70% of its perimeter. A fire is officially contained if it is fully enclosed by those control lines, and that includes any related fire spots. A frequent query we ran across in our research was “Why are wildfires a problem?”. The worldwide “wildfire” problem …
Wildfires occur when all the necessary elements of a fire triforce come together in a susceptible area : an ignition source is brought into contact with a combustible material such as vegetation, that is subjected to enough heat and has an adequate supply of oxygen from the ambient air. You might be wondering “How do …
