Q: CNN reported the rim fire at Yosemite National Park was 27 percent contained. A few days ago, the same fire was reported 5 percent contained despite the fire growing at a rapid rate. How do the experts compute the fire containment percentage of these wildfires?
—William McKee Jr., Flowery Branch
A: The percentage of wildfire containment is based on how much of the fire is surrounded by a firebreak, a natural or constructed line where the fire can't receive fuel, such as trees, to spread, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Firefighters battling forest fires often build firebreaks (also called fire lines, fire lanes or fuel breaks) by digging ditches, which sometimes are filled with water, lighting backfires to consume flammable material in a fire's path or eliminating vegetation from a certain area. Roads can be used to help the fire from expanding. Wildfire containment percentages can increase if winds blow the fire into areas not contained by firebreaks.
Q: Can you please identify the flags behind President Barack Obama in the photo on the front page of the AJC on Aug. 31? I don’t recognize the flags displayed behind him, other than the American flag.
—Dorothy Goodwin, Union City
A: The flag divided in blue, black and white horizontal sections is the flag of Estonia. The red and white one is Latvia's flag, and the yellow, green and red flag represents Lithuania. Obama recently spoke about possible U.S. involvement in Syria before he and Vice President Joe Biden met with the presidents of those countries.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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