Wildfires and how they begin

4/27/2021 (Permalink)

It's currently April and we have had some amazing weather to preview for what will hopefully be an even better summer. When I have conversations about the line of work we are in, water and fire restoration business, the typical response especially in the warmer/dryer months is- “You must be slow in this weather.”

On the contrary quite a few fires happen in the dryer months. In fact, eastern Washington state has frequent wildfires. When we have “no burn” warnings it really is for our best interest. The triggers for fires do not have to be exceptionally large at all to cause a massive wildfire.  

Some typical causes of wildfires are and are not limited to campfires, cigarettes, and lightning.

Campfires- it is best to douse your fire with lots of water to ensure there is no chance of the fire being relit. I learned at a young age at the beach that sand serves as an insulator. Huntington Beach has several pits for firepits and bonfires. A friend of mine was running through one and got a 2^nd degree burn on one of her toes from cinders still being insulated within that pit.

Cigarettes- like matches, cigarettes should be run underwater to ensure no fire starts from not being put out properly. Cigarettes when thrown out of a car window do not always land on the pavement to be run over by a tire. When you look at the side of a road there is typically dry grass or weeds. The cigarette lights and these dry weeds or grass feed the fire as it spreads.

Lightning- when lightning strikes it can cause fire, in homes, fields, forests, etc.

We have all seen the damages wildfires can cause. Here at SERVPRO of Gig Harbor/North Tacoma we specialize in fire restoration and want to help you prevent losing what means the most to you.