"Firefighters knew the charred skeleton of a tractor was still smoking when they left the valley floor in Ventura County last year, but didn't think it posed any danger. A week after crews declared the 1.8-acre Balcom fire out, powerful Santa Ana winds arrived, picked up some bits of hot rubber from one of the tractor's scorched tires and carried them over into dry vegetation, bringing the fire back to life, according to investigators."
"Many agencies have utilized technology like infrared drones to scan for lingering heat, but the solution might be as simple as spending extra time patrolling after the fire to ensure nothing is smoldering, experts say. "Understanding the consequences that will come from a fire, should it rekindle, and spending extra time and attention and not just taking it for granted that the fire is out is key," said Chris Dicus, a professor emeritus of wildland fire and fuels management at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo."
Firefighters left a charred, still-smoking tractor on a Ventura County valley floor after suppressing the 1.8-acre Balcom fire, believing it posed no danger. A week later Santa Ana winds lofted hot rubber from a scorched tire into dry vegetation, rekindling the blaze and producing the Mountain fire that burned nearly 20,000 acres and destroyed about 250 homes and structures. Agencies used containment lines, retardant drops and infrared drones to seek lingering heat, but those measures failed to prevent rekindling. Experts say climate-driven drying increases risk and recommend longer post-fire patrols and thorough mop-up. Ventura County Fire is creating post-fire policies and seeking third-party review.
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