What slope aspect is generally associated with the highest fire hazard?

The southwest facing slope aspect is typically associated with the highest fire hazard due to a combination of factors related to sunlight exposure, moisture content, and vegetation growth. These slopes receive more direct sunlight compared to north facing slopes, resulting in drier vegetation and a greater likelihood for fuels to ignite and sustain a fire.

Additionally, southwest facing slopes tend to warm up faster and retain that heat longer into the evening compared to other aspects. This extended exposure can lead to increased evaporation of soil moisture, further drying out the vegetation, which can become more readily combustible. The combination of dry, sun-baked vegetation and the potential for high winds on these slopes contributes significantly to fire risk, making this aspect particularly dangerous during wildfire season.

In contrast, north-facing slopes typically receive less sunlight, leading to moister conditions and denser vegetation that can inhibit fire spread. East and west facing slopes may still have fire potential, but they do not consistently reach the extremes of dryness and heat that southwest aspects do. Thus, the southwest facing slope is often regarded as posing the highest fire hazard.