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© Engine Capt. Tim Hill, Springerville Ranger DistrictThe Wallow Fire, seen Tuesday, just west of Eagar.
Wildfires are extremely dangerous and unpredictable. One thing that is predictable is the extreme weather conditions that fires bring to an area.

When a fire reaches into the the pine trees it fuels itself into a burning inferno. A pine tree provides the fuel for a fire as the tree sap burns very easily and quickly.

When a fire reaches into the tree tops, it is referred to as "crowning".

The water in the trees is turned into water vapor and released into the air as steam. The hot air will rise quickly and form a rain cloud, and the water vapor condenses as it rises. The ash or soot from the fire also provides a nuclei for the water vapor to attach to and grow into a rain drop.

The strong updrafts created by the hot air and steam rising create winds and also helps to fuel the fire. As the winds pick up it only helps fan the fires, which spreads the flames quickly. It also takes the hot ash into the air where it falls out, starting new fires in surrounding areas.

It is an extremely dangerous situation, making predicting where the fire will burn very difficult.

You should always follow the evacuation orders and give the firefighters the space they need to fight the fire.