Horse fire: basic characteristics and classification

Forest fires occur quite often. In order for the dry tree to catch fire, only one small spark or lightning strike is sufficient. If we consider that in most countries the weeds in the fields are ignited, the number of fires increases several times.

The larger the country's territory, the more fires occur on it. And if a stable drought prevails, then trees and shrubs can ignite even without any apparent cause. There is a lower and higher fire, there are also soil fires and many other types of fire. But first things first.

What is a forest fire?

This term means uncontrolled fire, which spontaneously spreads through the forest. In the process of such a fire, a partial or complete burning out of vegetation located above the ground level, forest litter (fallen leaves, branches and other) and a fertile soil layer occurs. As a result, in the territory affected by the fire, nothing has been growing for a long time. In addition, because of forest fires, animals are often killed.

Natural disasters of this type are very dangerous, since the fire spreads very quickly over huge areas. Most often, at the time of the discovery of a forest fire, it covers large areas, which greatly complicates the process of extinguishing.

Causes

Most often, fire appears from lightning, they account for more than 8% of the fires. In this case, everything depends on the terrain. In forests where young trees predominate, natural disasters are much less frequent.

Another cause of forest fires is people. In some situations, fire appears from deliberate acts aimed at destroying weeds. In addition, in the spring-summer period people go on shish kebabs or for mushrooms. At the same time, there is only one not-extinguished cigarette or firebrands in the fire. As a result of such negligence dry grass instantly flares up, and the flames quickly spread to dry wood.

Classification of forest disasters

Based on the nature of the ignition, soil, grass-roots and mountain fires are distinguished. Further, natural disasters are classified according to the speed of propagation. On this basis, a grassroots fire is divided into the following categories:

1. Weak. Fire up to 0.5 m high covers 1 meter of territory in just a minute.
2. Medium (height up to 1.5 m). It spreads at a speed of up to 3 m / min.
3. Strong (more than 1.5 m). It covers 3 meters in less than 3 minutes.

In turn, the speed of the upper fire, is:

1. Up to 3 m / min. This speed is considered weak.
2. From 3 to 100 m / min. In this case, one speaks of the average propagation velocity.
3. More than 100 m / min. - Strong fire.

From this it can be seen that a stable horse-fire propagates at a speed of more than 100 meters per minute. Accordingly, its scale is simply impossible to imagine.

There is also a soil fire, which also spreads quite quickly. In this case, the burnup depth is taken into account:

1. Less than 25 cm is a faint fire.
2. From 25 to 50 cm - medium.
3. More than 50 cm - belongs to the category of strong.

In addition, the fire is classified according to the area of ignition:

1. From 0.1 to 2 hectares is typical for normal ignition.
2. Up to 20 hectares indicates a low heat.
3. 20-200 hectares is an average fire.
4. Up to 2000 hectares is characteristic of a major disaster.
5. Over 2000 hectares - this is a disaster.

If we talk about the duration of the disaster, then during the fires there is an area on the order of 10-15 days (depending on the level of fire). During this time, more than 500 hectares may burn out. Let us consider each of the types of ignition in more detail.

Horse forest fire

Every fire is extremely dangerous for wildlife, animals, birds and, of course, for humans. Very often the flame reaches small settlements, located near the forest. As a result, fire quickly covers the house. Therefore, if there is an unusual haze in the sky, the smell of burning is observed, then it is necessary to immediately contact the Emergency Service.

Horse fire affects the forest canopy. Most often, this type of fire is the result of the development of low flame. Thus, it can be said that a grassroots fire is a component of the mount.

The emergence of fire, which is above the surface of the soil, contribute to natural factors. For example, a strong wind and steep slopes can cause a rapid spread of the upper fire. Most often, such fires occur in the summer, when the dry and hot weather prevails.

In fires of this type, trees usually die completely. If we talk about the nature of combustion, then we distinguish a cursory and stable uprising fire. The latter type is characterized by the fact that the tree crown burns out gradually, as the grassroots fire develops. In this case, the flame does not move in the canopy. Such ignitions are also often called general. If we talk about a cursory fire, then in this case the fire, on the contrary, spreads over the canopy and can even outrun the movement of the ground fire. Also in this case, there are jumps in the flame, at the moment of which the fire can hit areas with greater speed.

As it was mentioned before, the upper and lower fires are practically one whole. Therefore, it is worth saying a few words about the second type.

Ignition in the lower tiers

In a grass-roots fire, fire moves along the underlying layer. First of all, the grass, the underbrush, and also the adolescent light up. A grassland fire usually moves in a semicircle, forming a contour of the main flame on the terrain. As a result, the edge is obtained.

If to speak about character of ignitions, the bottom combustion also can be runaway or steady. In the first case, the edge of the fire moves very fast at a speed greater than 0.5 m / min. As a result, only the soil cover burns out. If we are talking about a stable grass-roots fire, then in this case the speed of the circuit is much lower. Correspondingly, not only the underlying layer burns out, but also rotten hemp and fallen wood. In this case, a strong formation of smoke is observed.

Soil ignition

Underground fires affect the root system of trees. They are not distinguished by a pronounced flame. Soil fire extends deep into the earth and can move up to 1 km per hour. At the same time, such ignitions are considered to be the most difficult, since it is very difficult to extinguish them. Soil fire causes the emergence of the grassroots, which in turn provokes the appearance of a mountain flame.

Extinguishing measures

For fire fighting, a wide variety of equipment is used: helicopters and airplanes. Thanks to the draining of the liquid quenching compounds, the fire can be quickly localized. To determine the source of ignition, the screening of the terrain is carried out.

However, in some cases, annealing (counter-fire) is formed. He burns out the fire fighting fluids before they fly. In this case, a shock wave is used. To do this, an explosion takes place before the front of the fire, which initiates the appearance of a reflecting screen. Due to this, it is possible to stop the further propagation of the flame and to extinguish by standard methods.

Preventive measures

First of all, experts try to predict the occurrence of fire in a particular zone, based on weather conditions and data received from the terrain. At the same time, the fire factor is calculated.

In order to reduce forest loss, a lot of organizational activities are carried out. First of all, fire prevention and preventive works are carried out. Also sanitary deforestation is carried out. In this case, all old and dried trees are destroyed. Forest belts are also cut down, which are in dangerous proximity to populated areas. Along the forest line, special trenches are laid, which in case of a fire do not allow the fire to pass further.

In addition, forest fires are monitored periodically, special observation masts and towers are installed. Thanks to ground-based surveillance, it is very often possible to prevent the occurrence of an elemental tragedy.