Uploaded September 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
With record-high temperatures in California and other parts of the western United States this month, the conversation around how heat waves influence wildfire has been in the media. The truth is extremely high temperatures themselves don't cause more frequent or more severe wildfires. In fact, some of the coldest states in the country, like Montana, experience thousands of wildfires each year. But combine high heat with dry conditions and enough vegetation to act as fuel to burn, and then you start introducing more wildfire risk. So what can be done about it? In this episode of Learn Something New™ by NFPA Journal®, we examine the relationship between extreme heat and wildfire as well as offer some tips for staying safe when hot and dry conditions combine to increase wildfire risk.
Learn more about the spontaneous combustion of oil-soaked rags, mulch, and other fuel sources: youtube.com/watch?v=6HQuKZ2JlOM&
Disclaimer: This video was created for educational/informational purposes using content under a Creative Commons license and/or fair use principles. If you are the creator or own the footage featured in this video and have questions or reservations, please notify me via averzoni@nfpa.org
©2022 National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®). All rights reserved.
With record-high temperatures in California and other parts of the western United States this month, the conversation around how heat waves influence wildfire has been in the media. The truth is extremely high temperatures themselves don't cause more frequent or more severe wildfires. In fact, some of the coldest states in the country, like Montana, experience thousands of wildfires each year. But combine high heat with dry conditions and enough vegetation to act as fuel to burn, and then you start introducing more wildfire risk. So what can be done about it? In this episode of Learn Something New™ by NFPA Journal®, we examine the relationship between extreme heat and wildfire as well as offer some tips for staying safe when hot and dry conditions combine to increase wildfire risk.
Learn more about the spontaneous combustion of oil-soaked rags, mulch, and other fuel sources: youtube.com/watch?v=6HQuKZ2JlOM&
Disclaimer: This video was created for educational/informational purposes using content under a Creative Commons license and/or fair use principles. If you are the creator or own the footage featured in this video and have questions or reservations, please notify me via averzoni@nfpa.org
©2022 National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®). All rights reserved.
