Final answer:
Modern construction techniques and materials result in rapid growth of fires due to buildings being more airtight and the use of synthetic materials that burn faster and hotter than traditional ones. Increased availability of dry plant material can also lead to more severe forest fires.
Step-by-step explanation:
The effect on fire development as a result of modern construction techniques and materials is rapid growth of fires. These contemporary methods and materials tend to make buildings more airtight, trapping heat and potentially leading to faster fire spread internally. Moreover, some modern synthetic materials can burn quicker and hotter than traditional materials like wood and plaster.
In the context of forest fires, the availability of dry plant material influences the severity of the fire. A higher amount of dry vegetation means more fuel is available, which can lead to more intense and rapidly spreading fires. Thus, modern construction materials combined with these conditions can contribute to the swifter onset and progression of fires, impacting suppression efforts.
The statement that decreasing the area increases the intensity, which might start a fire, correlates with the concept that smaller, confined spaces with combustible materials can lead to more intense fires, a scenario that could be exacerbated by modern construction materials and design.