How can radiant heat affect fuels nearby a fire?

Radiant heat plays a significant role in the behavior of wildland fires, particularly in how it affects surrounding fuels. When a fire burns, it emits heat in the form of infrared radiation, which can travel across distances and impact nearby materials even if they are not in direct contact with the flames.

The key to understanding why radiant heat can dry and potentially ignite nearby fuels lies in the process of heat transfer. As radiant heat warms the air and the nearby vegetation, it can lead to an increase in temperature of those fuels, often causing moisture within them to evaporate. This drying process decreases the moisture content of the fuels, making them more susceptible to ignition.

When the temperature of these fuels reaches their ignition point, they can catch fire from the radiant heat alone, without needing direct contact with the flames. This can contribute to the spread of the fire and create a more hazardous situation. Therefore, the ability of radiant heat to dry out surrounding materials and ignite them is a crucial aspect of fire behavior and fire management tactics.