One Response to Fire – ember shot

1. Hagop D says:

   June 19, 2025 at 8:00 am

   While the article emphasizes ember experiments in controlled environments, it omits a critical real-world factor: active fire suppression. A fire hose connected to a hydrant or water supply can prevent structure ignition by extinguishing embers or flames before they take hold. This is a basic principle of fire science—remove heat or fuel and you prevent ignition.

   Furthermore, many homes and businesses with built-in automatic fire suppression systems still burned—not because the systems failed—but because water supply was unavailable or cut off during the fire. This shows that suppression, not just spacing or plant removal, is essential—but only effective when supported by infrastructure.

   In the Pacific Palisades fire, my own home reached extreme temperatures. The presence of melted glass and aluminum indicates heat exposure ranging from a minimum of 500°F to well above 1200°F, possibly up to 2000°F. At those levels, ignition occurs regardless of what exists within the five-foot perimeter—making suppression and water access even more critical than vegetation type.

   Lastly, Boy Scout and U.S. Forest Service manuals confirm that a small spark on dry fuel can start a fire—but they also stress that early water application can stop it. The Zone Zero model assumes passive conditions. In real fires, active intervention is often the deciding factor.

   – Hagop D.