Editing Fire (section)

== Fire science ==
Fire science is a branch of [[physical science]] which includes fire behavior, dynamics, and [[combustion]]. Applications of fire science include [[fire protection]], [[fire investigation]], and [[wildfire]] management.

=== Ecology ===
{{Main|Fire ecology}}

Every natural ecosystem on land has its own [[fire regime]], and the organisms in those ecosystems are adapted to or dependent upon that fire regime. Fire creates a mosaic of different [[habitat]] patches, each at a different stage of [[Ecological succession|succession]].<ref>{{cite book | last1=Begon | first1=M. | first2=J. L. | last2=Harper | first3=C. R. | last3=Townsend | year=1996 | title=[[Ecology: From Individuals to Ecosystems]] | edition=Third | publisher=Blackwell Science Ltd. | location=Cambridge, Massachusetts, US | isbn=978-1-4051-1117-1 }}</ref> Different species of plants, animals, and microbes specialize in exploiting a particular stage, and by creating these different types of patches, fire allows a greater number of species to exist within a landscape.<ref>{{Cite journal | last=Hutto | first=Richard L. | date=December 1, 2008 | title=The Ecological Importance of Severe Wildfires: Some Like It Hot | journal=Ecological Applications | language=en | volume=18 | issue=8 | pages=1827–1834 | doi=10.1890/08-0895.1 | pmid=19263880 | issn=1939-5582 | doi-access=free | bibcode=2008EcoAp..18.1827H}}</ref>

=== Firefighting ===
{{Main|Firefighting|Aerial firefighting|Wildfire suppression}}

[[Fire fighting]] services are provided in most developed areas to extinguish or contain uncontrolled fires. Trained [[firefighter]]s use [[fire apparatus]], water supply resources such as [[water main]]s and [[fire hydrant]]s or they might use A and B class foam depending on what is feeding the fire.<ref>{{cite web | title=Class A and B: What you need to know about foam | first=Geary | last=Roberts | website=Fire Apparatus Magazine | date=April 1, 2010 | url=https://www.fireapparatusmagazine.com/equipment/class-a-and-b-what-you-need-to-know-about-foam/ | access-date=2025-02-28 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Firefighting tools recommended for fire professionals | first=John | last=Smit | website=World Rescuers | url=https://worldrescuers.com/firefighting-tools/ | access-date=2025-02-28 }}</ref>

The early detection of a wildfire outbreak can be performed by a [[fire lookout]] observing from a [[fire lookout tower|tower]] constructed for that purpose. The use of these towers peaked in 1938 and has been in decline since that time; most of the fire surveillance work is now performed using [[infrared sensor]]s and aircraft.<ref>{{cite web | title=History of Fire Tower Lookout and Cabin Rentals | publisher=USDA Forest Service | url=https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r1/recreation/?cid=fsp5_030804 | access-date=2025-03-05 }}</ref> [[Aerial firefighting|Fire suppression aircraft]] guided by a lookout can be used to help manage wildfires. These are primarily used in support of ground crews<ref>{{cite web | title=Does Using Airplanes to Put out Forest Fires Actually Work? | first=Ben | last=Christopher | website=Priceonomics | url=https://priceonomics.com/does-using-airplanes-to-put-out-forest-fires/ | access-date=2025-02-28 }}</ref>

=== {{anchor|Fire management}}Management, prevention and protection systems ===
{{Main|Wildfire#Prevention|Fire prevention|Fire protection|Fire safety}}
[[File:Fire inside an abandoned convent in Massueville, Quebec, Canada.jpg|thumb|An abandoned convent on fire in [[Quebec]]]]
Controlling a fire to optimize its size, shape, and intensity is generally called ''fire management'', and the more advanced forms of it, as traditionally (and sometimes still) practiced by skilled cooks, [[blacksmith]]s, [[ironmaster]]s, and others, are highly [[skill]]ed activities. They include knowledge of which fuel to burn; how to arrange the fuel; how to stoke the fire both in early phases and in maintenance phases; how to modulate the heat, flame, and smoke as suited to the desired application; how best to bank a fire to be revived later; how to choose, design, or modify stoves, fireplaces, bakery ovens, or industrial [[Industrial furnace|furnace]]s; and so on. Detailed expositions of fire management are available in various books about blacksmithing, about skilled [[camping]] or [[reconnaissance|military scouting]], and about [[home economics|domestic arts]].<ref>{{cite book | title=Blacksmithing | first=James M. | last=Drew | year=2013 | publisher=Read Books Limited | page=22 | isbn=9781473385436 | url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Blacksmithing/z_99CgAAQBAJ?gbpv=1&pg=PT22 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book | series=The Safety Network | title=Home Fire Safety Checklist | year=1989 | page=2 | publisher=U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission | url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Safety_Network/jxJQHY90hm4C?gbpv=1&pg=PP2 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book | title=Leave No Trace in the Outdoors | first=Jeffrey | last=Marion | year=2014 | pages=53–62 | publisher=Stackpole Books | isbn=9780811760515 | url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Leave_No_Trace_in_the_Outdoors/mbZDBQAAQBAJ?gbpv=1&pg=PA53 }}</ref>

Wildfire prevention programs around the world may employ techniques such as ''wildland fire use'' and ''prescribed or [[controlled burn]]s''.<ref>{{cite journal | date=January 1998 | title=UK: The Role of Fire in the Ecology of Heathland in Southern Britain | url=http://www.fire.uni-freiburg.de/iffn/country/gb/gb_1.htm | url-status=live | journal=International Forest Fire News | volume=18 | pages=80–81 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716212702/http://www.fire.uni-freiburg.de/iffn/country/gb/gb_1.htm | archive-date=2011-07-16 | access-date=2011-09-03 }}</ref> ''Wildland fire use'' refers to any fire of natural causes that is monitored but allowed to burn. ''Controlled burns'' are fires ignited by government agencies under less dangerous weather conditions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Prescribed Fires |url=http://www.smokeybear.com/prescribed-fires.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081020171425/http://www.smokeybear.com/prescribed-fires.asp |archive-date=2008-10-20 |access-date=2008-11-21 |publisher=SmokeyBear.com}}</ref>

Fire prevention is intended to reduce sources of ignition. Fire prevention also includes education to teach people how to avoid causing fires.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.firecomm.gov.mb.ca/safety_education_nero_and_ashcan.html#6 | title=Fire & Life Safety Education | publisher=[[Manitoba]] Office of the Fire Commissioner | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206013312/http://www.firecomm.gov.mb.ca/safety_education_nero_and_ashcan.html#6 | archive-date=December 6, 2008 }}</ref> Buildings, especially schools and tall buildings, often conduct [[fire drill]]s to inform and prepare citizens on how to react to a building fire. Purposely starting destructive fires constitutes [[arson]] and is a crime in most jurisdictions.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ward |first1=Michael |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yXt5AW6bJiUC&pg=PA349 |title=Fire Officer: Principles and Practice |date=March 2005 |publisher=Jones & Bartlett Learning |isbn=9780763722470 }}</ref>

Model [[building code]]s require [[passive fire protection]] and [[active fire protection]] systems to minimize damage resulting from a fire. A common form of active fire protection is [[fire sprinkler]]s.<ref>{{cite book | title=Principles of Fire Prevention | first=David | last=Diamantes | year=2014 | chapter=Fire Protection Systems Testing | pages=120–132 | ISBN=9781284041866 | publisher=Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC | chapter-url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Principles_of_Fire_Prevention/koGHCgAAQBAJ?gbpv=1&pg=PA120 }}</ref> To maximize passive fire protection of buildings, building materials and furnishings in most developed countries are tested for [[Fire-resistance rating|fire-resistance]], combustibility and [[flammability]]. [[Upholstery]], [[carpeting]] and [[plastics]] used in vehicles and vessels are also tested.

Where fire prevention and fire protection have failed to prevent damage, [[fire insurance]] can mitigate the financial impact.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Baars |first1=Hans |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l6ePCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA33 |title=Foundations of Information Security Based on ISO27001 and ISO27002 |last2=Smulders |first2=Andre |last3=Hintzbergen |first3=Kees |last4=Hintzbergen |first4=Jule |date=2015-04-15 |publisher=Van Haren |isbn=9789401805414 |edition=3rd revised |language=en }}</ref>