During the National Day holiday, more people are heading into the mountains and forests for outings. Combined with the dry autumn weather and the large accumulation of combustible materials on the forest floor, the forest fire danger rating continues to climb. Starting October 1, Guangdong entered a new round of a special forest protection period. A single outdoor fire or one discarded lit cigarette butt could spark an uncontrollable wildfire. We urge all members of the public to voluntarily follow fire prevention regulations when entering forest areas 鈥?do not carry fire sources, do not use open flames in the wild, and work together to protect our green mountains and clear waters.

Causes of Forest Fires

There are two main categories of causes for forest fires: human-caused fires and natural fires. 鈶?Human-caused fires include the following: Productive fire sources: fires used in agriculture, forestry, and animal husbandry production, fires used in forestry by-product production, and fires used in industrial, mining, and transportation operations. Non-productive fire sources: such as smoking in the wild, cooking, burning paper offerings, and keeping warm; as well as deliberate arson. 鈶?Natural fires: including lightning-induced fires, volcanic eruptions, and spontaneous combustion.

Types of Forest Fires

Based on the burning location, nature, and degree of damage, forest fires can be classified into three major types: surface fires, crown fires, and underground fires.

The Hardest Fire to Handle: Underground Fires

Underground fires are caused by the burning of the humus layer or peat layer in forest soil. During the day, no flames are visible on the surface; only at night can a patch of red flames be seen.

The Most Dangerous Fire: Crown Fires

Crown fires refer to fires burning in the canopy layer. The fire intensity is extremely fierce and can scorch or kill tree trunks. They are the most damaging type of forest fire.

The Most Sudden and Unpredictable Fire: Flashover Fires

Flashover in a forest fire refers to explosive combustion that instantly forms a massive fireball and mushroom cloud. It is highly destructive and is a "dangerous element" that must be a key focus of prevention during firefighting operations.

The Most Unusual Fire: Spot Fires

This mainly refers to the phenomenon where burning combustible materials are lifted into the air by flame plumes or convective smoke columns, and driven by ambient winds, fly over to unburned combustible areas, igniting fine fuels and creating new burning zones. This often causes the fire to spread further.

The Hardest Fire to Prevent: Lightning Fires

As global warming intensifies, lightning fires are showing an increasing trend worldwide. Their occurrence is related to factors such as thunderstorm paths, vegetation, terrain, and meteorological conditions.

Classification of Forest Fire Severity

Based on the affected forest area and the number of casualties, forest fires are divided into four levels: general, relatively serious, major, and especially major. 1. General forest fire: affected forest area of 0.067 hectares or more but less than 10 hectares, or 1 to 3 deaths, or 1 to 10 serious injuries. 2. Relatively serious forest fire: affected forest area of 10 hectares or more but less than 100 hectares, or 3 to 10 deaths, or 10 to 50 serious injuries. 3. Major forest fire: affected forest area of 100 hectares or more but less than 1,000 hectares, or 10 to 30 deaths, or 50 to 100 serious injuries. 4. Especially major forest fire: affected forest area of 1,000 hectares or more, or 30 or more deaths, or 100 or more serious injuries.

How to Escape and Seek Safety When Caught in a Forest Fire

01. If you encounter a mountain fire in the wild, how should you handle it in the early stages? When the fire is small, provided your own safety is ensured, you can try to control the burning by swatting the flames, covering them with soil, or using a fire extinguisher. If the fire spreads rapidly and cannot be directly extinguished, quickly evacuate to a safe area and wait for a professional firefighting team to handle it. 02. If you encounter a mountain fire in the wild, how do you scientifically escape and seek safety? Correct escape route: move in a direction perpendicular to the wind or against the wind. Reduce smoke inhalation: lower your center of gravity and cover your mouth and nose. Avoid dangerous areas: never enter dense forests, thick grass, valley bottoms, or other dangerous zones. Call for help promptly: dial 12119 or send your location information to the outside world, and you can wave brightly colored clothing, flags, etc. 03. What should you pay attention to when calling the forest fire emergency number? Three things to "make clear": Make clear the specific location and mountain name where the fire occurred. Make clear the fire intensity and vegetation conditions. Make clear the caller's name, identity, and contact information.

How to Prevent Forest Fires

During the forest fire prevention period, open fires are prohibited in forest fire prevention zones. If fire is needed under special circumstances, a strict approval procedure must be followed and an outdoor fire permit must be obtained. Remember the "Ten Don'ts": Do not carry fire sources into the mountains. Do not smoke or use fire for lighting in forest areas. Do not cook or barbecue food in forest areas. Do not burn incense, burn paper offerings, or set off fireworks and firecrackers in forest areas. Do not burn mountains for land clearing, burn wasteland, burn field ridges, or burn piles. Do not let special populations or minors play with fire in forest areas. Do not build fires in the wild for warmth. Do not throw cigarette butts out of vehicles. Do not hunt in forest areas or set fires to drive away animals. Do not let the elderly, young, weak, sick, or disabled participate in firefighting and rescue operations.