Also, when vegetation is burned, the nitrogen it contains is released into the atmosphere, unlike elements such as potassium and phosphorus which remain in the ash and are quickly recycled into the soil. If fire removes protective vegetation, heavy rainfall may lead to an increase in soil erosion by water. Its negative effects include hazard to life and property, atmospheric pollution, and water contamination. The positive effects of fire include stimulating growth and maintaining various ecological systems. Fire is an important process that affects ecological systems around the globe. įire in its most common form can result in conflagration, which has the potential to cause physical damage through burning. Depending on the substances alight, and any impurities outside, the color of the flame and the fire's intensity will be different. If hot enough, the gases may become ionized to produce plasma. Flames consist primarily of carbon dioxide, water vapor, oxygen and nitrogen. The flame is the visible portion of the fire. Īt a certain point in the combustion reaction, called the ignition point, flames are produced. They decided to use one water line to reduce the flames and extinguished the rest with chemical suppressants.The ignition and extinguishing of a pile of wood shavingsįire is the rapid oxidation of a material (the fuel) in the exothermic chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. Once PGE line operators arrived, they entered the substation with two firefighters to further assess the situation. But fighting the fire was complicated by electricity continuing to flow through the substation, and the flames being fed by oil from the transformer.Ī PGE representative who lived nearby advised the commanding officer to let the fire burn until they had more resources on scene. They decided the fire was only in the fenced area of the substation and posed little risk to surrounding homes and business. Then they searched the area for any signs the fire was spreading to nearby structures. “I freaked out, and thought the worst.”īecause fighting electrical fires can be uniquely dangerous, the first crews to arrive parked their rigs to keep traffic away from the blaze, firefighters said. “A really loud sound, an explosion sound and my whole building’s power went out,” Court said.

Fire flames background