Large, smoldering piles of fuel can spontaneously combust.

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Sometimes
• D. Never

Answer: (B)

Heat from slow, internal oxidation can build up inside large piles of fuel. When a pile is big, heat has fewer places to escape, so temperatures rise. If the heat continues to accumulate, the material can reach its ignition point and catch fire on its own, often starting as a smoldering, invisible burn that can later flare up. This is why the statement is true: large, smoldering piles can spontaneously combust under the right conditions. To prevent it, manage moisture, improve ventilation, turn or spread piles to dissipate heat, and monitor temperatures regularly.