How does it Form?
For a bushfire to occur, the fire needs something for it to burn on (referred to as fuel) and a source of ignition. Usually, these include the large amount of foliage, bark etc. The ignition of the fuel can range in a number of different ways. This includes lightning strikes, igniting the bark or leaves on a tree. This can also be lite deliberately (called arson) or a result of an accident.
The factors affecting the spread of bushfires include strong winds, a factor which plays a major part in the spreading of fires, the wind carries burning bark, leaves etc. into different parts of the forrest, spreading the fire even further. The wind also blows the extremely hot gas from the main body of the fire, preheating trees and leaf litter in front. High air temperatures also aid the ignition of fires. Prolonged drought dries out the foliage on the forrest floor and creates "tinderbox" conditions. Low humidity, usually below 25 per cent creates extremely dangerous bushfire conditions. This causes the fuel to be extremely flammable. Also, stronger winds means extra oxygen and more intense fires, they fan the fire and accelerate the speed at which the fire spreads. Another factor is the terrain in which the fire reaches. They tend to spread more quickly up hillsides and slopes, this is because the fire ignites the fuel in front of it, which is closer on an angle than on flat ground. This effect is reversed when on a downhill slope. The fuel in front is ignited slower.
The factors affecting the spread of bushfires include strong winds, a factor which plays a major part in the spreading of fires, the wind carries burning bark, leaves etc. into different parts of the forrest, spreading the fire even further. The wind also blows the extremely hot gas from the main body of the fire, preheating trees and leaf litter in front. High air temperatures also aid the ignition of fires. Prolonged drought dries out the foliage on the forrest floor and creates "tinderbox" conditions. Low humidity, usually below 25 per cent creates extremely dangerous bushfire conditions. This causes the fuel to be extremely flammable. Also, stronger winds means extra oxygen and more intense fires, they fan the fire and accelerate the speed at which the fire spreads. Another factor is the terrain in which the fire reaches. They tend to spread more quickly up hillsides and slopes, this is because the fire ignites the fuel in front of it, which is closer on an angle than on flat ground. This effect is reversed when on a downhill slope. The fuel in front is ignited slower.