What is a spot fire?

A spot fire refers to a new fire that ignites outside the established perimeter of a main fire. This can occur due to embers being carried by wind or due to other factors that facilitate ignition in nearby fuels, such as dry vegetation. The significance of understanding spot fires lies in their potential to grow rapidly and pose additional challenges to firefighting efforts, as they may lead to more extensive areas being affected if not addressed quickly.

While a small fire that has been extinguished implies that there is no ongoing threat, it does not reflect the dynamic nature of wildfires and how they can spread. A controlled burn within the fire perimeter is a tactical approach used to minimize fuel and reduce the overall intensity of a fire, which is different from a spot fire that represents an unwanted and uncontrolled ignition. Lastly, a fire that is contained efficiently indicates successful management and control, but it does not capture the essence of a spot fire, which is fundamentally an occurrence outside the primary fire area.