strong winds Helen Large tracts of trees were downed in Western North Carolina, creating an environment susceptible to infection. forest fires.

Helene wreaked havoc in the Tar Heel State in late September, causing historic flooding and winds exceeding 100 mph.

Tens of thousands of trees were downed, setting the stage for a potentially dangerous situation for residents still dealing with the devastation that occurred last month.

North Carolina State University Forest Ecology Professor Robert Scheller said these tree deaths result in tree debris such as leaves and branches that dry out and could become fuel for an uncontrollable fire.

“Any fire is limited by the amount of fuel fueling it,” Scheller told FOX Weather. he said. “In particular, a wildfire needs this little bit of material to actually spread.”

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He noted that different wood species have variable flammability. Pine trees are perhaps the most flammable tree type, as pine needles contain highly flammable resin.

Oak trees are probably the second most flammable tree, he said, adding that oaks are the dominant trees in western North Carolina.

With fallen trees having plenty of fuel to burn, western North Carolina is bracing for an increase in wildfire risk.

To reduce this risk, authorities may attempt to place fuel breaks or areas on the landscape that act as barriers to prevent the fire from spreading easily.

But taking that approach in Western North Carolina would be difficult, given the region’s rugged terrain and devastated soils. infrastructure.

According to Scheller, one alternative solution involves enforcing burn bans.

“We have to be careful,” he said. “Everything is really dry right now, but it’s getting drier. Where we really need to be careful on windy days is a total burn ban in that area.”

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The next few months could help reduce the risk of wildfires as fuel from fallen trees gets wet with snow and then begins to rot, Scheller said.

However, it is critical to take action sooner rather than later, especially in these dry conditions.

Original article source: Helene damage in western North Carolina leads to increased wildfire risk