Editing The Burning Line (section)

==Definitions of Fires==
Wildfires can move at tremendous speeds, up to 40 miles (60 km) in a single day, consuming up to 1,000 acres (1.5625 mi²) per hour. Dense clouds of burning embers push relentlessly ahead of the flames crossing firebreaks without pause. The powerful updraft caused by a large wildfire will draw in air from surrounding areas. These self-generated winds can lead to a phenomenon known as a firestorm.

A fire's front line will take on the characteristic shape of a pear; the major axis being aligned with the wind. The speed of the fire is estimated to be 3% to 8% of the speed of the wind, depending on the conditions (density and type of vegetation, slope). Other shape characteristics could be an elliptical shape when the ground is flat and the vegetation is homogeneous.

*  "crawling" fire: the fire spreads via low level vegetation (e.g., bushes)
*  "crown" fire: a fire that "crowns" (spreads to the top branches of trees) can spread at an incredible pace through the top of a forest. Crown fires can be extremely dangerous to all inhabitants underneath, as they may spread faster than they can be outrun, particularly on windy days. 
*  "jumping" or "spotting" fire: burning branches and leaves are carried by the wind and start distant fires; the fire can thus "jump" over a road, river, or even a firebreak.