Another summer, the whole planet is watching in amazement the destruction caused by the “Mega Fires” in the forests, in the flora, in the fauna but also in the properties of the people respectively.
By researching the factors that cause these catastrophes, specific conclusions emerge regarding the pre-outbreak of a Mega-Fire. More specifically:
Factors that cause a fire to break out
1. It is preceded by a long period of drought that plays the main cause in the active reduction of the moisture content of both the subsoil and the forested areas.
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2. A temperature of about two weeks before the fire is typical, at specific areas and in the whole country that hosts them, to exceed 40οC.
3. The relative humidity of the subsoil is usually at a rate of <10% while in one normal summer period this humidity ranges between 70%-80%.
Since the levels of subsoil moisture are very low, nature itself provides and to protect creates a situation where the leaves of the trees fall en masse to the ground making a layer of leaves from the trees to the ground to naturally prevent further evaporation of moisture soil.
At the same time, however, this layer of leaves from the trees will favor the growth of the fire before it rises to a height and burns the tree itself. The slightest spark in these conditions creates an “explosion of fire”. Its development when it erupts is done in an instant.
4. In combination with the prevailing atmospheric winds, which they may not have intensity, local winds are created by the fire itself. The importance of these winds, which are created by the fire itself, in terms of the speed and acceleration of the spread of the fire depend on the size and intensity of the fire itself.
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5. The combustion reaction creates very high atmospheric temperatures above it points of occurrence of fire. The specific air created by the intensity and size of the fire, has a low density and an upward course (due to low density).
This upward movement causes a constant stream of fresh air at the base of the fire which strengthens the flames and extends them in all directions creating fire fronts.
6. The “microclimate” of the fire is created by the fact that the temperature of the fire is constantly increasing, and the burning surface is constantly increasing at a rapid rate.
7. Due to the situation created by the “microclimate” of the fire, their effectiveness firefighting forces (ground and air) is reduced because much of the water used evaporates.
8. In case of extreme conditions the extinguishing of the fire is difficult resulting in the fire to be constantly evolving characterizing the Mega Fire.
9. So, if the Mega Fire appears, an important role in its successful or not extinguishing will have the prevailing winds as well as the topography of the ground that moves the Mega Fire. These two factors will also determine the behavior of the Mega Fire.
Methods of Dealing with “Mega Fires”
Our research has shown us that “Mega fires” are very difficult to deal with by directly attacking them with water (direct water dropping) in their hearth. So, three alternative methods of indirect treatment are used. More specifically:
1. Slowing down liquid in front of the fire front and in accessible places for ground forces. The purpose of this technique is to reduce the intensity of the fire and the temperature of the fire so that the ground firefighting forces can approach it.
2. Creation of fire zones in front of the fire front in accessible places. Large earthmoving machinery and mass use of chainsaws are used.
3. With the method-technique of “fire with fire”, that is, with the method of counter-ignition. A technique whose process requires special training, knowledge, and experience.
Population Education
However, in addition to the ground firefighting forces, the governments should also take care of the education of the local populations. More specifically, it is required:
- Continuous education of the population from a young age so that everyone knows them natural processes related to the behavior of fires.
- Voluntary participation in forest firefighting and fire suppression units.
- Knowledge and training in the survival techniques of the inhabitants, the animals that live in wooded areas (populations living next to forests) which techniques must be planned and applied to exercises over time.
- Early and sufficient information from the local population regarding the instruction’s evacuation areas.
- Active participation of local communities.
Concluding this analysis, we would like to pay tribute and respect to all those who lost their lives in their effort to save fellow human beings, property, and forests from the fires.
