A root fire (also known as a ground fire) is a wildfire caused by the burning of tree roots.[1] It is a wildfire caused through underground burns generally triggered by off-trail camping or other causes.[2][3] They can pose an often overlooked dangerous threat. Because a root fire burns underground, its smoke may appear just as smouldering indistinguishable from the wake of a forest fire.[4] These fires can reignite a wildfire or cause other natural hazards, and are also dangerous to humans and animals if trodden over, because the extreme heat can cause the soil to collapse.
Root fires are similar to peat fires, and have the same function in maximizing the risk and spread of wildfires.[5] Peat fires, however, can cause even more environmental issues due to their composition, impacting the environment, atmosphere, and flora and fauna where they occur.
References
edit- ^ Werner, Philip (30 August 2011). "Root Fires and Leave No Trace Campfire Building". sectionhiker.com. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
- ^ Yan, Holly (May 26, 2016). "How wildfires can return from the dead". cnn.com. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
- ^ "What Are The Differences Between A Ground Fire And A Surface Fire?". WorldAtlas. 3 October 2018. Retrieved 2020-07-10.
- ^ "Oregon fires burning underground pose new threat". 22 September 2020. Retrieved 2021-05-16.
- ^ "These fires are huge, hidden and harmful. What can we do?". Retrieved 2021-05-16.