Question

How does topography (the earth's surface features) affects the spread of ground cover fires?

a. Fires on flat terrain are prone to the chimney effect.
b. Fires in canyons tend to spread slower because of a lack of wind and air flow.
c. Fires on southern exposures receive more heat from the sun and burn faster than other fires.
d. Fires spread faster going downhill than they do going uphill.

Answer 1

Topography affects the spread of ground cover fires through factors such as wind patterns, sunlight exposure, and fuel availability.

Step-by-step explanation:

Topography, or the earth's surface features, can have a significant impact on the spread of ground cover fires. Here are a few ways topography affects the spread:

1. Fires on flat terrain are prone to the chimney effect, where the fire can gain intensity and spread rapidly due to limited obstruction.
2. Fires in canyons tend to spread slower because the lack of wind and air flow hinders the fire's ability to spread quickly.
3. Fires on southern exposures receive more heat from the sun, which can cause them to burn faster compared to fires in other locations.
4. Fires generally spread faster going downhill than they do going uphill.

Overall, the topography of an area can influence factors such as fuel availability, wind patterns, and sunlight exposure, all of which can affect the behavior and spread of ground cover fires.