In effect, the propagation of various forest fires has three distinct mechanisms. One is a "crawling" fire wherein the fire spreads by means of any low level vegetation (bushes, for instance).
Another would be "crown" fire such that the fire actually "crowns", that is, spreads right to the upper branches of trees. These can be deadly since they can spread with staggering swiftness through the top of a given forest. Remember that crown fires can be enormously dangerous to all the inhabitants, underside, since these fires may stretch out sooner than they can be actually outrun. This is particularly true on windy days.
Lastly you have "jumping" or "spotting" fires, wherein burning branches as well as leaves are pretty much carried by the wind, thus starting distant fires. Consequently, the fire can actually "jump" over anything from a road, river, or (dangerously), even a firebreak.
Another would be "crown" fire such that the fire actually "crowns", that is, spreads right to the upper branches of trees. These can be deadly since they can spread with staggering swiftness through the top of a given forest. Remember that crown fires can be enormously dangerous to all the inhabitants, underside, since these fires may stretch out sooner than they can be actually outrun. This is particularly true on windy days.
Lastly you have "jumping" or "spotting" fires, wherein burning branches as well as leaves are pretty much carried by the wind, thus starting distant fires. Consequently, the fire can actually "jump" over anything from a road, river, or (dangerously), even a firebreak.
