When Embers Are the Problem

Wind driven fires are by far the most difficult fires to control. Anyone who has ever started a fire knows that when you blow on the embers, the fire erupts into flames. During a windy day, the embers are hurled far in advance of the flames. Embers can travel hundreds of yards, and often start other fires just from the those hot embers landing amongst combustible material. The largest and most out of control wildfires in history have been the result of fires traveling at horrendous speeds due to the wind. Add a dry or drought-stricken environment, and the landscape literally becomes a tidal wave of fire.

Firefighter deaths have commonly occurred during these wind driven fires, often due to sudden isolated weather events causing powerful winds, which take the firefighters by surprise. The embers during these wind events creates ember storms. The embers smash into anything blocking their path, and collect around whatever is stopping them. They then pile up and start a fire due to the radiant and conductive heat coming off of them, whether out in a field, or in an attic, or other places those small embers have penetrated. Ember caused fires will often get inside a structure and burn it down from the inside out. The surrounding area may have had no direct flame contact from the main fire, and the vegetation next to the structure will often be unburned. It's imperative to stop ember penetration inside a house or other buildings, and to prevent the pooling of embers outside of a structure to find a combustible surface to ignite.

Be sure to read my blog "Benefits of Pre-fire Prevention."