Wildfire Terminology and Safety Measures Quiz

Human activities are the primary cause of wildfires, including factors like unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes, and arson.

Strong winds can rapidly spread wildfires by carrying embers ahead of the main fire, increasing its intensity and making it harder to control.

Temperature plays a significant role in wildfire behavior, affecting fuel moisture, fire spread rates, and fire intensity, with higher temperatures often exacerbating fire conditions.

A firebreak is a natural or man-made barrier used to prevent the spread of fire by removing vegetation or creating a gap in combustible materials.

Wetting down the roof can help prevent it from catching fire by reducing its combustibility and providing a barrier against ember intrusion.

A backfire is a tactic used in wildfire management to create a buffer zone by burning fuel ahead of the main fire, reducing its intensity and slowing its advance.

The wildland-urban interface is the area where structures and communities meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland vegetation.

A hotspot is an area within a wildfire perimeter that remains active, burning or smoldering despite firefighting efforts, posing a risk of flare-ups and spread.

A prescribed burn is a planned fire set intentionally under controlled conditions to reduce vegetation, decrease fuel loads, and minimize the risk of uncontrolled wildfires.

The Fire Weather Index is a tool used to assess the potential risk of wildfires based on weather factors like temperature, humidity, wind speed, and precipitation.

A control line is a predetermined boundary established by firefighters to contain the spread of a wildfire.

Defensible space refers to the area around a property that is modified to reduce the risk of wildfire damage, typically by clearing vegetation and creating a buffer zone.

Helicopters are versatile firefighting aircraft capable of dropping water or fire retardant directly onto wildfires, providing rapid response and precision targeting.

A fire tornado, also known as a fire whirl, is a rare phenomenon where intense heat and turbulent winds combine to create a swirling vortex of flames, capable of causing significant damage.

Spotting occurs when embers or burning debris are carried by wind currents away from the main fire, starting new fires ahead of its advance, increasing the overall fire perimeter.