Wildland Firefighting Practice Exam

Where do the solar rays strike most directly on a mountain in the northern hemisphere?

1. Full northern exposure

2. Full southern exposure

3. Eastern slopes

4. Western slopes

The correct answer is: Full southern exposure

In the northern hemisphere, solar rays strike most directly on the southern exposure of mountains. This is due to the tilt of the Earth's axis in relation to its orbit around the sun. As a result, the sun is positioned to the south of the equator, causing its rays to hit the southern slopes more directly during the day. This means that areas with full southern exposure receive more sunlight throughout the day, leading to warmer temperatures and a different ecological environment compared to northern exposures, which receive less direct sunlight and are often cooler and more shaded. This phenomenon is crucial for understanding fire behavior in wildland firefighting, as the direct sunlight on southern slopes can lead to drier conditions and increased fire activity, making it an essential consideration for fire management and safety strategies.