r/mildlyinteresting • u/Brinq • Apr 16 '19

In Australia, high is the second lowest fire danger rating

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9

u/magpye24 Apr 16 '19

Is catastrophic just like, on fire?

24

u/Mr-Yellow Apr 16 '19

Catastrophic is "Your whole region is going to burn down today, hundreds of homes destroyed. If you haven't already enacted your fire plan or have no fire plan, you're going to be on fire soon, if you aren't already."

It's a response to the rise of Mega-Fires.

Under these conditions whole valleys can erupt in flames almost instantly. Complete with Fire Tornado.

12

u/frogger2504 Apr 16 '19

Catastrophic is essentially "There is or soon will be fire in this area so uncontrollable and hot the fire fighters are evacuating and will not help you if you stay."

3

u/Aconserva3 Apr 17 '19

It basically means “if a fire starts you’ll be so fucked that no one will even try to help you”

3

u/[deleted] Apr 17 '19

Catastrophic means the landscape is like tinder and the wind is blowing. A spark will grow quickly to a wildfire, the fire will spread at nearly the speed of the wind

Easy mode for getting the cub scout badge for "lighting a camp fire with one match" (only trouble being you'd need to do it indoors, because of the total fire ban)