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| Wildfires, also known as a forest fire, grass fire, or brushfire is an uncontrolled fire often occurring in wildland areas, but which can also consume houses or agricultural resources.
Common causes include lightning, human carelessness and arson. Heat waves, droughts, and cyclical climate changes such as El Niņo can also have a dramatic effect on the risk of wildfires.
The forested areas of the United States and Canada are also particularly susceptible to wildfires. The climates are sufficiently moist to allow the growth of trees, but feature extended dry, hot periods. Fires are prevalent during droughts when fallen branches, leaves, and other material can dry out and become highly flammable. With extensive urbanization, fires can involve destruction of suburban homes located in the transition between developed and undeveloped areas. A previous policy of absolute fire suppression and urbanization have also resulted in fuel buildup and devastating fires in the United States. In fact, fire frequency has been increasing dramatically over the past century in lock step with population growth. On average, wildfires burn 4.3 million acres in the United States annually. Wildfires spread in three ways: LINKS : National Incident Information Center SOUTHERN AREA EASTERN AREA SOUTHWEST AREA MAPS OF CURRENT FIRE ACTIVITY
Related Resources Wildfires.info - Wildfire is an uncontrolled fire which can consume houses. |
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