What Is a Wildfire?

A wildfire, also commonly referred to as a forest fire is simply an uncontrolled fire in an area with a lot of vegetation such as a grassy field or a wooded area. Wildfires occur all around the world sometimes with devastating effects on the local flora, fauna and even the local economy.

What Causes a Wildfire?

Many times wildfires are caused by natural occurrences such as lightening or volcanic activity. Sometimes even sparks from a falling rock can set dry grasses ablaze. Many wildfires are also started by unwitting hikers or campers that do not properly put out their campfires. And of course some wildfires are started on purpose by arsonists.

What Can We Do to Prevent Wildfires?

One of the biggest tools for prevention is education. If people learn about the proper way to maintain and extinguish a campfire that would prevent many accidental wildfires from occurring. There’s really not much we can do to prevent wildfires that occur naturally from things like lightning strikes but if you live in a wooded area there are things you can do to protect your home. Make sure there is no vegetation growing too closely to your home, if there is no fuel for the fire the fire cannot burn. There are also building materials that are fire resistant and if you have siding or roof shingles that are fire resistant that can help to protect your home as well.

A lot of prevention is just simple common sense. Disposing of things like cigarette butts or charcoal and ashes from your Bar-B-Q can be very dangerous but if done properly they can also be done safely.