Man-made Wildfires

Man-made Fires

Although devastating and threatening to wildlife and human life, natural wildfires are nature’s way of starting new. These natural fires, which occur at low intensities and are easily controlled without human intervention, are both beneficial and crucial to the survival of wild animals and plants. Natural fires remove and clean away decaying matter on the ground, which recycles nutrients and nourishes soil. In addition, natural fires may help maintain an environment by killing diseases and insects that threaten the survival of plants and trees. An increase in biodiversity is typically common after natural wildfires due to the new abundance of nutrients.

Man-made wildfires however, do not have the same beneficial impacts as natural wildfires do, and cause countless areas to prematurely burn, whilst pushing out wildlife.

The causes of wildfires can be divided into two categories: natural and man-made. Natural causes of fires include lightening sparks, spontaneous combustion (usually due to an increase in temperature), and volcanic eruption. Man-made fires make up 90% of wildfires and are usually caused by simple carelessness.

Man-made Causes of Wildfires:

1. Cigarettes: Many smokers tend to throw their cigarettes on the floor despite the fact that it may still be burning. Unextinguished cigarettes left on the ground can quickly start an uncontrollable fire if its spark comes into contact with debris or plants.
2. Unattended Campfires: Campers often start campfires. When either started in any area close to ignitable objects or left unattended, a campfire may go awry, causing a large fire in a matter of minutes.
3. Burning Debris: Despite its inherent risks, many individuals burn debris. Wind can easily cause the burning debris to spread into forests or fields and consequently start a wildfire.
4. Engine Difficulties/Fireworks: In a case of an emergency or technical difficulties, engine sparks from a car located in a forest or field can start a fire. Firework sparks as well can start a fire in instances in which the sparks fall into flammable areas such as a dry field.
5. Arson: Unfortunately, there are individuals who commit arson, the act of intentionally starting a fire to cause damage. Arson is one of the leading causes of man-made fires.

Effects of Man-made Wildfires:

1. Deforestation: One of the immediate effects of wildfires is deforestation, the loss of trees, along with the loss of other plants. Wildfires, particularly those caused by human negligence, remove native plant species.
2. Loss of Wildlife: Wildfires pose a dangerous threat to wildlife in the area. While some animals are successful in escaping the fire, unfortunately many others are not as successful and sadly succumb to the fire.
3. Air Pollution: Greenhouses gases, such as carbon dioxide, are released into the atmosphere during wildfires, further contributing to the decreasing air quality our Earth is already experiencing. This air pollution, in turn, has its own hazardous effects on the environment and organism life.
4. Use of Natural Resources: Large amounts of natural resources, such as water, are used to contain uncontrollable wildfires. This can especially be bad in areas that are already suffering from a limited water amount due to a drought.
5. Threat to Human Life: In addition to posing a safety threat to wildlife, wildfires threaten the life of humans who reside closely or near the fire. Many residents are forced to evacuate their homes. Unfortunately, many houses and other buildings become destroyed during particularly large wildfires. Although rare, it is possible for a human to be killed due to a wildfire.