Intro to Wildland Fire Behavior (S-190) Practice Test

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How can slope affect fire spread?

Fires burn slower downhill

Fires burn faster downhill

Fires burn equally regardless of slope

Fires tend to burn faster uphill

Slope plays a significant role in the behavior of wildfires, particularly with regard to how quickly they spread. When a fire occurs on an incline, the heat rises, pre-heating the vegetation above the fire, which can lead to quicker ignition and more intense burning in the uphill direction. As fire travels uphill, it encounters less resistance due to the rising flames and increased heat, allowing for a more rapid spread.

In contrast, when a fire burns downhill, the flames generally have to fight gravity, and the heat does not pre-heat the vegetation below as effectively. This means that while fire can spread downhill, it does so at a slower rate compared to uphill progression. Thus, understanding the role of slope is crucial for predicting and managing fire spread, as fires tend to move faster uphill due to the upward movement of heat and flames, which enhances combustion in the vegetation ahead.

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