What can lift burning materials or embers during a fire?

Wind currents are a significant factor in lifting burning materials or embers during a fire. The dynamics of wind can create upward drafts or gusts that carry lightweight embers away from the main fire, allowing them to travel considerable distances. This phenomenon contributes to the spread of wildfires, as those embers can ignite new fires in otherwise unburned areas, leading to rapid fire escalation and expansion.

In contrast, while flame fronts are the visible indicator of a fire spreading, they do not actively lift materials but rather consume them. Soil erosion, on the other hand, deals with the removal of topsoil and does not involve the movement of burning materials or embers. Ground temperature increase indicates the intensity of heat but does not facilitate the actual movement of embers or burning materials into the air.