I get why the fires spread so far and so rapidly on windy days but what starts them in the first place?

[tynyphil]

I burn brush 2-3 x a year. Usually fairly large accumulations. I usually check the wind/weather for several days ahead. What takes a few hours to burn down to coals......hot coals will hide under the ash for several days. A stiff wind could cause leaves etc to blow across and re-ignite. Same could be said for others doing the same thing with trash, etc.....tho' no fire seen it could re-ignite days later.

 

[Aries]

News report yesterday said most of these were caused by downed power lines. Although all of the causes listed above can result in fires too, but the wind itself apparently caused most of these.

 

[Okie4570]

Controlled burns from the day before, arcing power lines, dragging chains, trains are 99% of it on extreme fire days. Guys hear that there's fire danger approaching so they try to go burn before that day, then don't make sure that the edges are 100% out or if there's smoldering piles they don't put them out. One of the ones we were on yesterday was from a controlled burn from the day before. Pile of timber about 150y from edge still burning. 60mph winds blew embers.

 

[Kid Glock]

IMO, overhead power lines, especially those not installed by a public utility, as on some oilfield leases where poles may be installed too far apart and not to the correct tension.

 

[Perplexed]

People shooting AP ammo in rocky areas…

 

[Firemedic71201]

I’ve been in the fire service for going on 26 years. I’ve seen fires start from trains, catalytic converters, power lines, chains, welding, fireworks, farm implements, you name it…

 

[CSeverns]

Dry conditions and wind alone don't create fires or else my yard would have burned up. Cigarettes, arson, something else?

Oh man, lots of stuff. Cigarettes; sparks from vehicles, trailers, train brakes; arcing power lines; gas soaked rags sitting in the sun; static electricity; the aforementioned sun shining through a Coke bottle. I’m sure there are a lot more. It doesn’t take much at all to ignite one.

 

[ConstitutionCowboy]

I heard passing gas through non-static protected underwear can start - Eh? - What? No such thing as non-static underwear?

OK, then. Passing gas through non-flame-retardant underwear? No?

Never mind.

Woody

 

[mtngunr]

Let's not forget arson. It happens as sure as all the unintentional causes.

 

[CSeverns]

I heard passing gas through non-static protected underwear can start - Eh? - What? No such thing as non-static underwear?

OK, then. Passing gas through non-flame-retardant underwear? No?

Never mind.

Woody

You’d be really having to rip some serious ass to create enough friction to spark one of those. I’ve heard of people spontaneously combusting. Maybe that explains it.