Know Thy Enemy – What You Need to Know About Wildfires

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Just like a good Hallmark movie, it all begins with a spark.

Thanks, I hate it.

Wildfires can start in any dry area from a number of sources:

  • Loose embers from burning debris
  • Human error (cigarettes, unattended campfires, playing with matches, etc.)
  • Arson
  • Lightning
  • Heat from the sun
  • Prescribed fires gone wrong
  • A gender reveal party gone wrong
  • A cross country oil pipeline gone wrong

While some of the causes of wildfires are natural, up to 90% of wildfires in the US are caused by humans in June, July, and August. Both natural and manmade wildfires will spread through anything flammable, including your house. If the conditions are right, wildfires can travel as fast as 12.5 miles per hour, so you better get out of the way! To reach maximum velocity, a wildfire needs four things:

  • Low humidity
  • High winds
  • Drought or dry weather
  • Extreme heat

Wow, it’s fun to learn new things, but why would I need to prepare for a wildfire?

About the Authors

It takes a village! We are researching, writing and fact checking as a family. Collaboration is the name of the game, whether we’re running from a zombie horde or finding the best way to turn a complex concept into a deliciously digestible set of bullet points.

Katherine Esperanza is a Los Angeles based writer. When she's not conjuring new queer slice-of-life short stories, she's busy watching the newest films, out at queer shows, supporting queer artists, or just checking out the queer community as a whole.

A former international non-profiteer, small business owner, and co-op'er, Katherine is delighted to help introduce more leftist politics into the disaster preparedness/prepper sphere, which is currently far too right-wing.