In the case of Fort McMurray, part of the problem was the initial lack of coordination between the local firefighters (who had no experience with this sort of fire) and battle-tested Forest Service firefighters (who knew a little bit more but not nearly enough).  The confusion resulted in chain-of-command issues. Forest Service folks knew the tactics of the local crews were doomed but even when their inputs gained sway, there were only a couple strategies that made any difference whatsoever.  What had become a crown fire early on (worst kind of fire) kept  8-)getting hotter & hotter, taking on explosive qualities.

This is one of the most fascinating & eye-opening works of non-fiction that I have read in a very long time.

Jimbo 8-)