If you work on your property now by cutting some trees and moving your firewood away from your house, you increase your chances. The wrong combination could quickly turn a smoldering ember into a uncontrollable fast-moving inferno. Click on the diagram above to find out how or click the tabs at top to explore other topics. Take away its fuel and the fire stops. This is central to firefighting strategy.
Fires tend to travel uphill faster than downhill.
For flames to spread, they must preheat surrounding fuel. That heat transfer accelerates when the fodder is above the fire. A sloped countryside can also affect wind patterns, often pushing fires uphill in a hurry. And, as humidity declines, plants tend to give up more of their moisture to the atmosphere. Fast-moving winds can push flames toward fresh fuel and provide a constant supply of oxygen, which boosts intensity.