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To:Nuzum, Danielle; Sjolund, Garrett
Cc:Lee, Lewis
Subject:Board Correspondence - FW: HOW HOT ARE THE CALIFORNIA FOREST FIRES? JUST LOOK INTO YOUR
MICROWAVE!
Date:Monday, July 27, 2026 10:37:32 AM
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Please see Board Correspondence -
Lewis LeeAdministrative Technician - ConfidentialButte County Administration25 County Center Drive, Suite 200 • Oroville, CA 95965T: 530.552.3326www.buttecounty.ca.gov | lelee@buttecounty.ca.gov
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Subject: HOW HOT ARE THE CALIFORNIA FOREST FIRES? JUST LOOK INTO YOUR MICROWAVE!
Public Record
ST LOOK INTO YOUR MICROWAVE!
PAUL PRESTONxd
AENN
Temperature of a Spark from Metal in a
Microwave
A microwave‑induced spark is not a single “fixed” temperature — it’s a plasma channel
that can locally reach several thousand degrees Celsius, but the surrounding metal and
air are usually far cooler unless the spark is sustained.
Why the spark forms
When microwaves (2.45 GHz) hit metal, they reflect and can concentrate electric fields at
sharp edges or thin points whysciencedaily.com+1. This concentration can ionize the air,
creating a plasma arc — the visible spark Science Notes and Projects. The arc is a miniature
lightning bolt: a conductive gas where electrons and ions are free to move.What “temperature” means here
Plasma core temperature: In an electric arc, the ionized gas in the channel can be
2,000–5,000 °C or more, depending on current and voltage Science Notes and Projects.
This is hot enough to vaporize metal droplets, which is why you see bright flashes and
sometimes molten metal ejection kitchenpearls.com.
Metal surface temperature: The metal itself usually does not instantly melt unless the
arc is sustained and the metal is thin or in direct contact with the arc for a long time. In a
typical microwave spark, the metal may only heat slightly before the arc extinguishes
whysciencedaily.com+1.
Air and surrounding gas: The air near the spark is ionized and heated, but the bulk of
the oven interior remains near room temperature unless the spark is repeated or intense
enough to cause fire hazards microwaveshub.com.
Why it’s not a single value
The “temperature” depends on:
Arc current and voltage — higher currents produce hotter arcs.
Metal shape and thickness — sharp, thin edges concentrate fields more, increasing arc
temperature.
Microwave field strength — stronger fields in the oven cavity can drive hotter arcs.
Duration — a brief spark cools quickly; a sustained arc can heat the metal and air
significantly.
Safety note
Because the arc can reach thousands of degrees locally, it can ignite flammable materials or
damage the microwave. That’s why metal objects should not be placed in microwaves
unless explicitly labeled microwave‑safe whysciencedaily.com+1.
In short: the spark itself is a plasma at a few thousand degrees Celsius, but the metal and oven
air are usually much cooler unless the arc is prolonged and intense.
https://www.agenda21radio.news/post/how-hot-are-the-california-forest-fires-just-look-into-
your-microwave
Diana dreiss