.
Yaupon Holly is similar to the manzanita that is prevalent in CA forests.
Ultra hard dense wood that burns hot as hell and coals remain hot sometimes for days.
But the worst danger to fire fighters is Chamise.
It grows in huge patches, grabs clothing, and impedes travel to a crawl.
.
Yaupon is full of wax. Even green it actually explodes into flames. That summer it was so dry the forest floor was full of pine needles that ignited the Yaupon up to about 20’ in towering flames up to 100’ high which ignited the rattan then the dry pine trees and oaks. The humidity was terribly low and it was 105 degrees. We had not had any rain to speak of since October of 2010, almost a full year. I pray to never see that ever again. We evacuated twice like so many others wondering if we would see our home again.
I can’t see how any of Ca in the fire areas is left. Another patch goes up in flames every year.
In the burned over areas they rooted out hot spots 6 or more feet deep of old pine stumps.