It is important to differentiate wildland fires from fires that occur in the wildland urban interface (WUI). By contrast, cooling and higher humidity often signal reduced wildfire occurrence and easier containment. High temperatures and low humidity can lead to extreme wildfire activity. Temperature, humidity, wind, and lightning can affect ignition and spread. Weather: The most variable factor affecting fire behavior is weather.The risk of fire is increased significantly during periods of prolonged drought as the moisture content of both living and dead plant matter decreases. The ratio of living to dead plant matter and the fuel’s continuity, both horizontally and vertically are also important factors. Dense or overgrown vegetation increases the amount of combustible material available to fuel the fire. Certain types of plants are more susceptible to burning or will burn with greater intensity. Fuel : The type and condition of vegetation plays a significant role in the occurrence and spread of wildland fires.South-facing slopes are subject to more solar radiation, making them drier, which intensifies fire behavior. Topography: As slope increases, the rate of fire spread increases.The following three factors contribute significantly to wildland fire behavior and can be used to identify wildland fire hazard areas. However, wildfires can also generate smoke plumes or increase the risk of post-wildfire landscape events such as erosion, debris flows, and flooding. Reported outcomes of wildfire typically include only those that are attributable to the physical fire itself these outcomes largely occur during the fire event and within or near the wildfire perimeter. The potential for significant damage to life and property increases in areas where development is adjacent to dense vegetation, known as wildland urban interface (WUI) areas. Vulnerability to flooding increases due to the destruction of forest and ground cover within watersheds. Wildfires are costly, putting lives and property at risk and compromising rivers and watersheds, open space, timber, range, recreational opportunities, wildlife habitats, historic and cultural areas assets, scenic assets, and local economies. Wildfires can be caused by human activities (such as arson or campfires) or by natural events such as lightning. A wildfire is any uncontrolled fire occurring on undeveloped land that requires fire suppression.
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