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Eugene -Springfield Area Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan 2. Hazard Descriptions Firestorms are incidents of such extreme intensity they create and sustains their own wind system.73 Firestorms often occur during dry, windy weather and generally burn until conditions change, or the available fuel is consumed. Ignition of a wildfire may occur naturally from lightning or from human causes such as debris burns, arson, careless smoking, recreational activities, and industrial accidents. Once started, four main conditions affect the fire's behavior: fuel, topography, weather, and urban development. • Fire needs fuel. Fuel is classified by volume and type. As a western state, Oregon is prone to wildfires due to its prevalent conifer, brush, and rangeland fuel types. • Topography influences the movement of air and directs a fire's course. Slope and hillsides are key factors in fire behavior. Unfortunately, hillsides with steep topographic characteristics are also desirable areas for residential development. • Weather is the most variable factor affecting wildfire behavior. High -risk areas in Oregon share a hot, dry season in late summer and early fall with high temperatures and low humidity. • The degree of urban development influences the amount of fuel available. 2.9.2 Climate Change Global climate change is expected to increase the length and severity of summer drought along with an increase in summer high and low temperatures. By 2030, climate change is expected to result in: • Average annual temperature increases of 2-4'F; • Reduced precipitation in spring, summer and fall; and • An increase in extreme heat incidents. These changes will likely result in an increase in wildfire frequency and intensity as well as the probability of future wildfires in the Eugene -Springfield area 2.9.3 History of the Hazard While some small wildfires have been recorded by the Eugene and Springfield fire departments, there is no history of large wildfires in the immediate area. " Science Daily. Reference Terms. httos://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/firestorm.htm Accessed August 2019. 2-60 January 2020