Author Question: Describe the best things to do if you are trapped by a fire. Where should you take shelter to ... (Read 56 times)

Jramos095 · **on:** Jul 13, 2018

Describe the best things to do if you are trapped by a fire. Where should you take shelter to protect yourself and why?
What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

What is fuel loading? What are examples of fuel loading, and what makes fuel combustible?
What will be an ideal response?

sylvia · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 13, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANSWER: Try to reach flat, moist, grazed areas, ponds, or streams where vegetation is short, wetter, and not subject to updrafts. If trapped by a closely advancing fire, lie in a ditch, cover yourself with non-combustible materialsuch as wet clothes or wet dirtand let the fire burn past you. If you can reach a car, park it over bare ground. Roll up the windowscovering them with opaque material to minimize access of radiant heat, if possibleand lie low. Even if the car catches fire, try to let the intense wall of fire pass before getting out. Except in movies, gasoline tanks rarely explode. Don't try to out-drive a closely approaching fire and don't drive through dense smokeyour chances of making it are slim. The safest place in an uncontrolled fire is in an area already burned.

Answer to Question 2

ANSWER: Fuel loading refers to the amount of burnable material. Trees and dry vegetation are the primary sources of fuel for a wildfire. They burn at high temperature by reaction with oxygen in the air. The main combustible part of wood is cellulose, a compound of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. When it burns, cellulose breaks down to carbon dioxide, water, and heat. Shrubs and trees also contain natural oils or saps that add to the combustibles.