A new wildfire-risk map in the Bay Area highlights the dangers of wind-driven embers, showing areas where vegetation could produce fire-spreading embers. Lars Guntvedt, a resident in a high-risk zone, is prompted to take further precautions for his home. This collaboration between NASA and Santa Clara County FireSafe Council emphasizes the importance of understanding how embers can ignite properties even when the main blaze is far away. Recent fire disasters have underscored the critical role of embers in escalating wildfire damage.
"One or two embers get in the attic and that's what sets off the fire and the house starts burning down," said Craig Clements, director of San Jose State University's Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center.
The ember-risk map, Guntvedt said, made him consider "what additional hardening I can do with my house."
The map shows areas where the types and densities of vegetation would be expected to generate embers, also known as firebrands, that could ride winds to new locations.
Embers can send spot fires far ahead of a main blaze, igniting yard plants and transporting fire to houses.
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