A prescribed burn is not a one-time event, but a process that must be continually applied to the landscape. How hot or fast a fire burns can depend on the kind of fuel , if the fuel is wet or dry, the quantity of fuel , and weather conditions. Prescribed burns require a lot of planning and are only conducted under the appropriate conditions. Drought index , relative humidity, and wind speed and direction must be considered. If conditions have been very dry, a prescribed burn can be very risky.
Humidity affects a fire by changing how dry the fuel is.
As the relative humidity decreases, fuel moisture decreases and the fire intensity increases. Wind speed will affect how fast a fire burns. Prescribed burns are not conducted on days with strong winds due to the increased risk of escape. Wind direction is important to consider especially if the prescribed burn occurs near homes and roads. Special permits, fire equipment, and individuals trained to work with fire are necessary elements of a prescribed burn.