Stuff You Should Know SYSK Selects: How Wildfires Work
Mar 9, 2019
Wildfires devastate millions of acres annually, driven by a mix of natural and human factors. The podcast dives into the science behind fire dynamics, including how moisture and weather influence fire behavior. Hear gripping tales involving elite firefighters and the tactics they use to combat wildfires, like building fire breaks and controlled burns. The conversation also touches on the impacts of climate change and the surprising benefits wildfires can have when managed properly, all while sprinkling in some humor and nostalgic movie references.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Two Wildfire Starters
- In 2002, Leonard Gregg intentionally started a wildfire in Arizona.
- A woman nearby, stranded without gas, then set another fire hoping to attract a news helicopter.
Fire Triangle
- Wildfires, like all fires, require fuel, oxygen, and heat (the fire triangle).
- Wildland firefighters aim to remove one of these elements to control or extinguish the fire.
Wildfire Statistics
- 5 million acres burn yearly in US wildfires.
- Over 80% of wildfires are caused by human activities.
