Types of fire

Smouldering fire

A smouldering fire burns slowly and without flames mainly in the humus layer posing a significant danger as it can spread unnoticed for a longer time period.

Surface fires

Surface fires burn surface litter, other loose debris of the forest floor, and small vegetation. A surface fire may burn with flames only several centimeters high, flames a few meters high or may intensify and turn into a crown fire. Depending on the wind, the spread of the fire front can reach marching speed.

Crown fires

Crown fires burn the canopy of the forest and can spread from treetop to treetop. They are the most intense type of forest fires and are often accompanied by intense surface fires. In extreme cases, the flames can be several dozen meters high and spread at running speed.