fireStay

fireStay is a term that has emerged in recent years to describe a specific phenomenon related to fire behavior. It refers to a situation where a fire, after initially being suppressed or appearing to be out, reignites or continues to burn due to smoldering embers or unextinguished heat within the fuel source. This can occur even after a fire has been declared controlled and personnel have departed the scene.

The primary causes of fireStay include insufficient extinguishment of deep-seated fires, the presence of duff or peat layers that can retain heat for extended periods, and strong winds that can reintroduce oxygen to smoldering material. In some cases, buried hot spots can also contribute to the phenomenon.

FireStay poses a significant risk as it can lead to unexpected flare-ups, potentially reigniting a larger fire or endangering firefighters who may have left the area assuming the threat was neutralized. It also necessitates ongoing monitoring and post-incident assessment by fire management agencies. Understanding and anticipating fireStay is crucial for effective wildfire suppression and public safety.