Wildfires consume massive amounts of oxygen, creating a low-pressure “fire wind” vortex. As the blaze advances, it can suck oxygen out of sealed homes through vents, creating a pressure differential. This draws superheated air and embers into structures, igniting flammable gases released by pyrolysis (thermal decomposition of materials like wood, plastics, and furniture). Homes effectively become pressurized fuel sources, leading to rapid internal explosions when ignited.