Facts About Wildfires
by Kaira Tamura
Forest fires, otherwise known as wildfires, are uncontrolled blazes that occur in the forests. Some causes of forest fires are lightning, arson (intentionally and illegally setting fire to a piece of land), out-of-control or unattended campfires, and discarded burning cigarettes. More than 80 percent of all forest fires are caused by mankind, and about 1.2 million acres of woodland in the United States burn every year. Despite the fact that most wildfires are caused by human activity, humans don't always start the most damaging wildfires. Forest fires occur in the hot, dry seasons and occur irregularly. Forest fires affect a large area, usually a county to the entire state in some cases. Large wildfires are capable of altering local weather conditions. Wildfires kill 339,000 people every year, making them the eighth leading cause of death from natural disasters. Usually, people have within seconds to minutes of warning before the fire arrives, depending on their distance from the flames and the speed at which the fire is traveling. Firefighters refer to forest fires by several different names: surface fires, ground fires, dependent crown fires, running crown fires, and spot fires.
• Surface fires are the most common type of forest fires. They travel slowly and kill all the vegetation within the area. Usually, surface fires travel low to the ground, which is why they are called surface fires. Surface fires usually only grow about 1.3 meters high above the ground.
• Ground fires are wildfires that burn the humus, which is an organic component of soil that is formed by the breaking down of leaves and other plant material. In some cases, ground fires do not appear on the surface of the earth. Ground fires burn slowly and can last for days. This type of wildfire is usually caused by lightning.
• Running crown fires are the most dangerous types of wildfires. They burn extremely hot, travel rapidly, and can change direction quickly. Running crown fires can cause tornadoes and massive fire storms. They occur when the flames leap from tree to tree, giving them the name "running crown fires". They are extremely dangerous, and if anyone is in the forest during a running crown fire they could become trapped. Another name for running crown fire is active crown fire. Running crown fires are propelled by wind and have the ability to produce more fires.
• Dependent crown fires are fires that burn from tree to tree like running crown fires, but can't maintain solid flaming in the canopy for a long period of time. These types of fires are less dangerous than running crown fires, but are still a hazard and should be fought carefully. Like running crown fires, these fires are also propelled by wind.
• Spot fires are fires that are ignited by sparks from the perimeter of the main fire. These fires are also extremely dangerous because of the chance a person could be hit by a spark.
• Surface fires are the most common type of forest fires. They travel slowly and kill all the vegetation within the area. Usually, surface fires travel low to the ground, which is why they are called surface fires. Surface fires usually only grow about 1.3 meters high above the ground.
• Ground fires are wildfires that burn the humus, which is an organic component of soil that is formed by the breaking down of leaves and other plant material. In some cases, ground fires do not appear on the surface of the earth. Ground fires burn slowly and can last for days. This type of wildfire is usually caused by lightning.
• Running crown fires are the most dangerous types of wildfires. They burn extremely hot, travel rapidly, and can change direction quickly. Running crown fires can cause tornadoes and massive fire storms. They occur when the flames leap from tree to tree, giving them the name "running crown fires". They are extremely dangerous, and if anyone is in the forest during a running crown fire they could become trapped. Another name for running crown fire is active crown fire. Running crown fires are propelled by wind and have the ability to produce more fires.
• Dependent crown fires are fires that burn from tree to tree like running crown fires, but can't maintain solid flaming in the canopy for a long period of time. These types of fires are less dangerous than running crown fires, but are still a hazard and should be fought carefully. Like running crown fires, these fires are also propelled by wind.
• Spot fires are fires that are ignited by sparks from the perimeter of the main fire. These fires are also extremely dangerous because of the chance a person could be hit by a spark.