12
Sep

To learn more about our fire mitigation services in and around El Paso county, Co, call us at (719)400-9104.

Wildfires are devasting forces that can wipe out acres of land & wildlife in a matter of hours. Understanding what conditions cause a wildfire can help us understand what we need to do to be able to stop a raging wildfire once it is in full flow.

What Conditions Affect Wildfires?

As we mentioned previously, in order to answer how we stop a wildfire we need to take into account all of the ways in which a wildfire can start. There are a number of factors that can cause a wildfire to start and spread ferociously.

The shape of the land can really have an effect on the speed & way a wildfire will move. If the fire is burning uphill, for instance, then the vegetation ahead/uphill drys out quicker and will light up faster. So, the vegetation burns a lot more easily going uphill than downhill.

The wind has a tremendous ability to increase the speed and ferocity of a wildfire. If there was no wind, then controlling a wildfire would be much easier. Wind fans the flames by adding oxygen to the fire increasing the wildfire’s strength. Wind accelerates the movement of the fire in any given direction. Because of this unpredictability in which way the wind will blow, it is a nightmare to deal with.

Dry weather is the main reason a wildfire can just appear from nowhere. If there has been no rain for many days & extreme heat, a fire can start from the smallest of sparks.

If that all wasn’t enough, a raging wildfire can cause fire whirls and firestorms. These tornado-like swirls of flames destroy everything in their way. Because of their movement and the intense nature of them, firestorms are also extremely hot.

So, What Stops A Wildfire and Effects on Fire Mitigation Work in El Paso Co?

A wildfire can run its course and run out of ‘fuel’. But the main things that can stop a wildfire are water, which works but can take a very long time depending on the size of the fire and how much water you have available.

If the fire reaches an area without vegetation this can also stop it in its tracks, but a whole lot of damage might have been done to reach this point. Areas that have already been burnt previously can also help to stop a fire, as there is nothing left to burn and to help it carry on.

A change in the landscape can really help stop or at least slow down a wildfire. Slopes or canyons can be a godsend when stopping a wildfire. These can be also referred to as fire breaks, areas that naturally stop a fire in its tracks. This can be anything from a large road or even a river. Fire breaks can also be done through fire mitigation work on your land in El paso county.

Have questions about wildfire mitigation, give us a call at (719)400-9104. Our services include brush clearing, scrub oak removal and pruning, tree removals