Wildland Firefighting Practice Exam 2025 - Free Wildland Firefighting Practice Questions and Study Guide

The term that describes the hot embers broadcast ahead of a fire is "firebrands." Firebrands are small burning or smoldering particles that are carried by the wind ahead of a wildfire, capable of igniting new fires far from the original blaze. This phenomenon is critical in understanding the spread of wildfires, as firebrands can land on combustible materials, creating spot fires, which make controlling a wildfire significantly more challenging.

While "embers" also refers to the glowing remnants of burned material, it does not specifically capture the aspect of embers being carried ahead of the main fire. "Flare" and "kindling" refer to different concepts in fire behavior and ignition; a flare pertains to a brief burst of fire or signal, while kindling refers to small sticks or twigs used to help start a larger fire. Therefore, "firebrands" is the most accurate term to describe the phenomenon of fiery particles that can ignite new flames leading the path of a wildland fire.