People are asking why some houses burn and some houses dont. Some media outlets talk about it being a random lottery. Heres a simple overview. There are three main ways houses catch fire in bushfire situations. They are: 1. The direct radiant head emanating from a flame front from fuels burning close to the structure causing the combustible building and other incidental materials to combust. 2. Smaller or other fires actually burning up to the structure and setting alight to the flammable materials. 3. Ember or fire brand attack which sees small burning pieces of fuel fly through the air, (sometimes great distances ahead of the main fire), and settle in places where they can set alight to either building or other combustible materials around the structure or even inside the structure, especially the roof space. So it may seem random but in the first case very few houses can withstand the thousands of kilowatts per metre the fire front emits. The second case really brings into question the defendable aspect of staying or leaving and the merits of a well prepared home. Should you have enough resources and can successfully remove the combustible materials, wet down immovable combustible objects and actively fight the fire as it comes then you may be able to save the structure. Ember attack can destroy houses long after the main fire front obvious risk has subsided. If you are not there to put these small but dangerous ignition sources out then they can cause initially, quite innocuous fires that in time can ultimately destroy homes. Plants and combustible household items close to the home, leaf and other litter on or around the home and open windows or spaces allowing the heat sources access to flammables inside can all be the things which will quickly see you win the lottery. The less you do, the more tickets you have but if youre not there then it could be a pile of Easi picks at best. If in doubt, its always better to get out and be safe than take the risk with you life.
Posted on: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 05:32:51 +0000
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