What typically happens to fuel moisture content under an inversion?

Under an inversion, the typical scenario involves increased fuel moisture content, which subsequently leads to a decrease in fire spread rates and intensities. An inversion occurs when a layer of warm air traps cooler air near the surface. This can prevent moisture from evaporating out of the fuels during the day, allowing them to retain more moisture.

With higher moisture content in the fuels, they are less likely to ignite easily and burn slowly when they do. This increased moisture serves as a natural inhibitor to fire spread, as drier fuels facilitate faster ignitions and burns. Therefore, during periods of inversion, the environmental conditions contribute to stabilizing fuel moisture levels, resulting in reduced fire activity compared to normal conditions where moisture might be lower.

This understanding is crucial for fire management and predicts how fires may behave under specific weather patterns.