My family’s home (and many others) is almost surrounded by bushfires in NSW. How do the brave fire fighters control huge flames and fire storms? Can they control them? Or do they just have to run their course till there is nothing left to burn? I’d just like to understand it a little better. And if there are any fireys (fire fighters in Australia) reading this… thank you for all you do. You are incredibly brave.
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Many wild fires you just have to let it burn. One reason is because it’ll take an exorbitant amount of resources to put it out, resources that may not be available. Another reason is because wild fires burn due to the amount of fuel available. You could spend tons of resources putting the fire out, but then fuel is still there and could easily start up again. Much better to let it burn and get rid of the fuel.
The main strategy is just to protect what needs protecting and let the rest take its course. They do this by creating a separation between the fire and available fuel, either by digging ditches or by back burning, which is when you get in front of the fires path and you create controlled fire that moves away from the houses and towards the approaching fire. When the two meet all available fuel is used up and the fire goes out.
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