Powerful winds Helene felled large swaths of trees in western North Carolina, creating an environment susceptible to forest fires.

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

Tens of thousands of trees fell, paving the way for a potentially dangerous situation for residents still dealing with the destruction caused last month.

North Carolina Robert Scheller, a professor of forest ecology at State University, said tree mortality results in the production of tree debris, such as leaves and branches, which can dry out and become fuel for a forest fire.

“Any fire is limited by the amount of fuel needed to fuel it,” Scheller told FOX Weather. “Specifically, a wildfire needs that little material to really spread.”

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He noted that different types of trees have varying flammability. Pine trees are perhaps the most flammable type of tree, as pine needles contain high levels of flammable resins.

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

With so much kindling fuel coming from downed trees, western North Carolina is poised to experience an increased risk of wildfires.

To mitigate this risk, authorities may attempt to install firebreaks or barrier areas in the landscape to prevent a fire from spreading easily.

However, taking this approach in western North Carolina would be difficult, given the region’s rugged terrain and devastated areas. infrastructure.

An alternative solution is to implement burning bans, according to Scheller.

“We have to be careful,” he said. “Things are really dry right now, and they’re only getting worse. Where we have to be very careful, on windy days, is to completely ban burning in this entire area.”

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Scheller noted that the coming months could help reduce the risk of wildfires as fuel from downed trees becomes wet from snow and then begins to decompose.

However, it is essential to act as soon as possible, especially in these dry conditions.

Original article source: Damage to Helene in Western North Carolina Leads to Increased Risk of Wildfires