The world’s longest-burning fires - Emma Bryce
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In 1997, a fire began in Indonesia that would rage for almost a year. Despite being one of the largest fires in recorded history, for months at a time it burned without a flame. This might sound like a uniquely freaky fire, but it’s actually one of many. So, is it possible to snuff out these bizarre blazes? And how do they form in the first place? Emma Bryce explores the phenomenon of peat fires.
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Because of the material they burn, peat fires produce a smoke that is a mixture of toxic, asphyxiant and irritant gasses, making them extremely dangerous to humans and animals. Sometimes called deep seated fires, lagging fires, fireflood, or underground gasification, peat fires are self sustaining and can last much longer than fires that rely on oxygen for combustion.
Thank you to Guillermo Rein, professor of Fire Science at Imperial College London, who provided invaluable expert insight for this lesson.
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Meet The Creators
- Educator Emma Bryce
- Director Ivana Volda
- Narrator Christina Greer
- Storyboard Artist Ivana Volda
- Animator Ivana Volda, Thomas Johnson Volda
- Art Director Ivana Volda
- Composer Stephen LaRosa
- Sound Designer Stephen LaRosa
- Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
- Produced by Sazia Afrin
- Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
- Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
- Special Thanks Guillermo Rein