Understanding How Wildfires Get Started
Understanding how wildfires get started is key to reducing the risk of them. Forest fires can start from natural causes, and there is little you can do about them. However, there are also human causes, and these are the ones
that we can all do a part in preventing.
Lightning Striking the Tree
One of the most natural reasons for fires to start is lightning striking a tree. This is usually a dead or diseased tree since there won’t be any moisture in them. However, the lightning can also strike healthy trees and cause problems. This is usually when lightning strikes without any rain or when the water has already absorbed due to the heat.
Lightning strikes can’t be stopped. It’s important to protect the land from the damage, which means companies going in to clear out dead and diseased trees. When homes are built in problematic areas, the land is usually cleared with a buffer to reduce the spread of fires.
Lightnings only caused around 15% of forest fires in the U.S. between 2001 and 2010. All the rest were due to human issues. However, it is also worth noting that out of the 15% of fires being started by lightning, they burned 61% of the acreage. They are still extremely dangerous, but they are also a necessary part of nature.
Human Causes of Wildfires
A total of 85% of fires are started by humans. They do only burn 39% of the acreage, but they are still a major problem and risk to wildlife and homes. There are a few ways that fires start by humans.
Power lines hitting a tree branch are extremely problematic with four out of the 20 largest fires in California being due to power lines. Animals can be a reason for power line issues. While falling power lines are an issue, birds dropping fish, beavers felling trees onto power lines, bears climbing poles, and mice chewing on the electrical cables are among the big issues for power lines starting fires. If the power lines weren’t there, animals wouldn’t cause a problem so they’re still classed as human causes.
Target shooting has also been linked to some wildfires. The exploding targets look cool but they cause dried leaves to fire up. Then there are also reasons like dropped cigarette butts and campfires that are left unattended and get out of control.
Candle lanterns are becoming a major problem. Wedding parties will light the candle lanterns and release them in the air. They end up getting caught in the trees, starting the fire as the candles didn’t burn out. They’re pretty until they start a fire!
Sadly, there is the problem of arson. This is actually the cause of some of recent biggest wildfires. It’s not always easy to prove arson, but there have been cases throughout the years.
By knowing how fires start, you can take steps to protect your own backyard. There are things we do as humans without thinking, and it’s time to put the environment first.