Holiday Farm Fire: Terrain's Impact on its Spread

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In summary, this article discusses the effects of the Holiday Farm Fire on the landscape near Eugene, Oregon. It includes aerial pictures showing the patchy distribution of burned areas and the potential for unburned areas to help with reseeding. The fire's spread is affected by terrain features, such as fir trees and organics in the ground. Fire breaks may have different effectiveness depending on conditions, and natural features like rivers and roads can also act as breaks. The article also raises questions about the ecosystem and policies for fire suppression in the area.
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BillTre
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These pictures are from a flyover of different affected by the Holiday Farm Fire, near Eugene, where I live. They show the patchy effects of the fire, in some areas. They also show how different features in the land affect spread of the fire and the kinds of features that get used as fire breaks in what kind of terrain.
This article (open access I believe) from the local newspaper (The Register-Guard) has several aerial pictures of the landscape, in areas burned by the Holiday Farm Fire (~30 miles from Eugene, where I live).

It shows a patchy distribution of burned areas. This is probably good, in that unburned areas at the edges of the fire of vegetation will be able to seed neighboring areas (with locally adapted seeds too).
Screen Shot 2020-10-15 at 4.28.05 PM.png


The fire's spread is affected by several features of terrain. Going up hill is easy through stands of fir trees with interlocking branches. Burning through the organics in the ground spreads more slowly.
Screen Shot 2020-10-15 at 4.38.25 PM.png


Fire breaks should have different effectivenesses, depending on the conditions, like weather (rain/no rain, windy/not windy, temperature/dryness).
Rivers and roads and other features can act as fire breaks or be built upon to make more effective breaks.
Screen Shot 2020-10-15 at 4.28.44 PM.png
 
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In SoCal, where I grew up, regular fires were good "grooming" for the understory. Is the ecosystem in this part of Oregon the same in that way? And if so, does it suffer from the old 75-year policy of fire-suppression?
 
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Thank you for sharing this article. The aerial pictures are definitely eye-opening and it's great to see that there are still some unburned areas that can help with reseeding. It's interesting to see how terrain can play a role in the fire's spread, especially with the interlocking branches of fir trees. I agree that fire breaks may have different effectiveness depending on the conditions, and it's good to see that natural features like rivers and roads can also act as breaks or be built upon for better effectiveness. Hopefully, with proper management and precautions, we can prevent such devastating fires in the future.
 

1. How does the terrain affect the spread of the Holiday Farm Fire?

The terrain plays a crucial role in the spread of the Holiday Farm Fire. Steep slopes, dense vegetation, and dry conditions can all contribute to the rapid spread of the fire. These factors make it difficult for firefighters to access the affected areas and can also cause the fire to jump from one area to another.

2. What type of terrain is most susceptible to the spread of the Holiday Farm Fire?

The Holiday Farm Fire is most likely to spread quickly in areas with steep slopes and dense vegetation, such as forests and canyons. These types of terrains provide ample fuel for the fire and can also create wind tunnels, making it easier for the fire to spread.

3. Is there any way to mitigate the impact of terrain on the spread of the Holiday Farm Fire?

Yes, there are several strategies that can help mitigate the impact of terrain on the spread of the Holiday Farm Fire. These include creating fire breaks, which are areas cleared of vegetation to prevent the fire from spreading, and using controlled burns to remove excess fuel and reduce the risk of a large fire.

4. How does the terrain affect firefighting efforts during the Holiday Farm Fire?

The terrain can greatly impact firefighting efforts during the Holiday Farm Fire. Steep slopes and dense vegetation can make it difficult for firefighters to access the affected areas, and the rugged terrain can also pose safety hazards for firefighters. Additionally, the terrain can influence the direction and speed of the fire, making it more challenging to contain and control.

5. Are there any specific tools or techniques used to combat the spread of the Holiday Farm Fire in difficult terrain?

Yes, there are specialized tools and techniques that are used to combat the spread of the Holiday Farm Fire in difficult terrain. These include helicopters and air tankers, which can drop water or fire retardant on the fire from above. Additionally, firefighters may use hand tools, such as shovels and axes, to create fire breaks and remove excess fuel in hard-to-reach areas.

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