The life of a fire
April 16, 2007
Preventing wildfire is a big concern for Tahoe Basin agencies. The threat of a fire is high. You have an opportunity to deliberate with other members of the public and policy makers to help decide how to reduce the fire threat. To sign up go to Tahoe Deliberate. But first, learn a little bit about the issue. The animation above shows you several scenarios for the progression and control of a wildfire. Watch the animation and read more. Then listen to Sierra Front Public Information Officer Kirk Frosidck talk about this year’s conditions and the progression of a fire by clicking here.
The Conditions
Firefighters say conditions in the Tahoe Basin are dangerously dry. The forest floor is littered with pine needles, dead tree limbs and brush (fuels) that can ignite quickly.
The Cause
The Sierra Front Incident Management Team says about 50 percent of fires are started by lightning and Mother Nature. A lightning strike can quickly ignite dry fuel, and wind can spread that fire quickly.
The Fire Spreads
As a fire grows it climbs up the brush into lower trees such as White Fir. The fire uses the small trees as a ladder to reach the tops of the taller trees like Jeffery Pine and Sugar Pine Trees.
The Fire Crowns
In some cases the fire will start to travel from treetop to treetop. This is known as crowning. When a fire crowns firefighters say it moves extremely fast, and it’s difficult to fight.
The Fuel Break
Firefighters have several tactics to slow the progression of the fire. One is to get ahead of the fire and create a break in the fuels. Firefighters clear all the fuel out of the way of the fire. Fires need three things to burn: fuels, oxygen and heat. By taking away the fuel, firefighters can stop the fire from spreading.
The Back Burn
Another technique is called back burning. This is where firefighters do a controlled burn of the area in the direction in which the fire is burning. If the fire hits an area that has already burned it is less likely to spread.
Related posts: [ Has agency conflict made the fire threat worse? ] [ Are slash mats worth the cost? ] [ South Lake neighborhood lives on, even without houses ] [ It’s all about you ] [ Forest Service plan focuses on community protection ]
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