How are wildfires classified?

Answer 1

The dangers associated with the potential of wild fires are classified as:

Low: Fires may start easily and spread quickly but there will be minimal involvement of deeper fuel layers or larger fuels.

Moderate: Forest fuels are drying and there is an increased risk of surface fires starting. Carry out any forest activities with caution.

High: Forest fuels are very dry and the fire risk is serious. New fires may start easily, burn vigorously, and challenge fire suppression efforts. Extreme caution must be used in any forest activities. Open burning and industrial activities may be restricted.

Extreme: Extremely dry forest fuels and the fire risk is very serious. New fires will start easily, spread rapidly, and challenge fire suppression efforts. General forest activities may be restricted, including open burning, industrial activities and campfires.

They may also be classified by types (there may vary in number and name):

Surface fire: Burns along the floor of a wildland, moving slowly and killing or damaging plants.

Ground fire: Burns anytime the surface burns and the subsurface organic material is dry enough to burn. They may burn through the the humus layer down to the mineral soil.

Crown fires: Spread rapidly by wind and move quickly by jumping along the tops of the trees.

The size classification is usually a measure of the area affected

Answer 2

Wildfires are classified based on their cause, behavior, and fuel type. Common classifications include surface fires, ground fires, and crown fires. They can also be classified by their size, such as small, medium, or large wildfires.