In North Carolina, 99% of wildfires are caused by some type of human activity.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As officials in California investigate the cause of the devastating Hughes Fire near Los Angeles, there are also concerns about wildfires in western North Carolina.
Crews in McDowell County have battled two wildfires in recent weeks, with hundreds of acres burning before firefighters were able to contain the flames.
There are three key components to igniting a wildfire: fuel, heat and oxygen. This is commonly referred to as the fire triangle.
Fuel for a wildfire is any kind of flammable material, like trees, dry brush and even homes. According to North Carolina State University, these materials emit a vapor, which can be taken to their flashpoint by a heat source.
An item’s flashpoint is the lowest temperature it can ignite. Once it’s reached, the vapor will evaporate and mix with oxygen, sparking a fire. Oxygen, which occurs naturally in the atmosphere, is needed for starting and sustaining fire.
When something burns, it is exposed to oxygen and a chemical reaction occurs. This releases more heat, generating combustion and fueling the fire. While a fire needs all three components to start, it only needs one element taken away to end.
Wildfires can happen naturally, sparked by a lightning strike or the heat of the sun. However, most are caused by human activities, such as discarded cigarettes or unattended fires. According to the North Carolina Forest Service, 99% of wildfires in North Carolina are caused by human activity. Even more concerning, 49% of those fires were the result of careless debris burning.
While the weather alone has a lesser chance of igniting a fire, it can impact where the fire goes or whether it spreads at all. The biggest impacts are caused by low humidity and gusty winds. strong winds also impact the movement of the fire.
Topography is a huge factor too, especially in areas like the North Carolina mountains. Steep terrain funnels winds and they get stronger as elevation climbs.
Contact Brittany Van Voorhees at bvanvoorhe@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
