1 small storm, 1 massive map wide fire

[Infamous_Garr]

So I am still pretty new to Rimworld. I start a new game In a temperate forest area and get the process going of setting up base. Shortly thereafter a storm came...a short one with only 4-5 lightning strikes then it was over. Concentrating on my base I start to see flames on the edge of my screen only to zoom out and literally see 85% of the map surrounding my base completely burned and my base surrounded by fire.

My guys are putting it out as fast as they can but with only 3 it is not going well.

Hot damn...lightning is OP

[KalkiKrosah]

Lightning is quite powerful. It's part of the reason why people like stone walls so much, they are fireproof. I recommend making stone walls and walkways on your perimeter. Flames can only leap 3 tiles away so plan accordingly.

[M.K.]

How did the brush fire cross your fire-breaks?
.
.
You *did* hack out a fire-break, didn't you?
It's one of the first lessons in living in a forested area.

[elipod]

Last time I checked, flames can only jump 2 tiles, unless "squirrel on fire" is involved. Best way to stop fire when you're low on manpower is to make temporary firebreaks by cutting vegetation in 2 tile wide line as fire closes in, instead of fighting it head on. But keep an eye for new saplings and grass patches popping out on already cleared ground.
Fast way to solidify firebreaks is to put cement floor or roof to prevent plants regrowing. With 2 tile overhanging roof, even wooden wall is protected.

[Colonial]

Depending on where the fire is on the map, if it burns for long enough or gets large enough, the game will force a rainstorm.

You can actually exploit this by building a large, (15x15) unroofed stone building out across the map and filling it with wood floors and furniture. When you need rain (say, to clean up all the raider blood) just throw a Molotov cocktail in through the door and let it burn. Once it gets big enough, rain will happen

[tukkek]

The game is supposed to work this way - if you don't like it, play on a lower difficulty setting where harmful events are reduced or even removed completely. I do that because I play RW as a "colony builder/manager" and not as a survival game.

Also, being a simulation game, it's pretty ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ realistic. Have you ever seen those signs of "don't throw away cigarette buts on the side of the road"? This is why - one minor source of fire can light up an entire state if the weather is dry enough for long enough.

The way you're supposed to deal with this in-game is to not have wood structures, keep your vegetation under control with the "cut plant in" order or otherwise make sure a fire cannot affect you by building a stone barrier or whatever else you can come up with.

[Infamous_Garr]

Thanks for the tips peeps, much appreciated.

[peter.huebner]

for some 'strange' reason power lines and batteries seem to be prime targets for lightning strikes
.

[KalkiKrosah]

Originally posted by peter.huebner:

for some 'strange' reason power lines and batteries seem to be prime targets for lightning strikes
.

Not in my games. My boomrats are like lightning rods that like to explode.