Most wildfires are caused by us humans and our carelessness in handling campfires in the forest. Sure, dry conditions in the Pacific Northwest, in areas such as California, Idaho, Oregon, or Washington state, can create ideal conditions for wildfires, but it is not the main cause of them.
The main cause of wildfires, according to the Unites States National Park Service is, “Nearly 85 percent* of wildland fires in the United States are caused by humans. Human-caused fires result from campfires left unattended, the burning of debris, equipment use and malfunctions, negligently discarded cigarettes, and intentional acts of arson,”.
The National Park Service goes on to cite how nature is responsible for wildfires as well, stating that, “Lightning is one of the two natural causes of fires.
Lightning is described as having two components—leaders and strokes. The leader is the probing feeler sent from the cloud. The return streaks of light are a series of strokes that produce the actual lightning bolt or flash that we see.
There are two types of lightning—cold lightning and hot lightning. Cold lightning is a return stroke with intense electrical current but of relatively short duration. Hot lightning has currents with less voltage, but these occur for a longer period of time. Fires are usually started by unusually long-lasting hot lightning bolts,”.
When I was merely two months old, my mom and her parents (my grandparents) took my same-aged boy cousin and me camping for the first time, which spawned a lifelong love of the outdoors.
At a young age, we were taught about fire safety through iconic PSAs featuring Smokey the Bear in the 1970s, leaving a lasting impact. Created in 1944, Smokey the Bear serves as a symbol of forest preservation and wildfire prevention.
Despite efforts to prevent wildfires, indirect human activities like malfunctioning power lines, pyrotechnics mishaps, and climate change exacerbate the risk. Urbanization and increased human activities in wildland areas also contribute to the challenge of controlling fires.
Where are the worst wildfires in the United States?
California has been the state most threatened by wildfires, as 40% of all burned acres recently fell within its borders. California also had the most properties at risk of wildfire damage by a significant margin. In order of severity, listed below are the states most affected by wildfires:
- California
- Texas
- North Carolina
- Montana
- Florida
- Oregon
- Georgia
- Minnesota
- Washington
- Arizona
California’s issues are primarily due to its Mediterranean-like climate, which includes long dry spells, high temperatures, and frequent Santa Ana winds that can whip small flames into raging infernos. Recently, Texas has also seen an uptick in fires due to drought and heat waves.
Adapting to these challenges means taking proactive steps such as creating defensible space around properties, investing in fire-resistant building materials, or even installing home sprinkler systems. On a larger scale, governments and organizations need to prioritize forest management and adopt advanced firefighting techniques.
Furthermore, the broad impact of wildfires and their smoke isn’t confined to immediate health concerns. High economic costs are associated with disrupted businesses, healthcare expenses, and the resources required for firefighting and cleanup.
Types of fires
Growing up in a camping-and-exploring family, I learned at a very young age about the dangers of fire and how to safely burn. However, that did not stop me from becoming a little firebug. Where I grew up, there was an old apple orchard next to our neighborhood where we kids would play. We built forts, ate the rotten apples against our parents’ wishes, and had campfires with any debris we found lying around.
We did not know how to burn debris safely and ended up probably breathing in toxic chemicals as a result. We did not know then, but learned immediately why burning plastic was a bad idea. Plus, it smelled horrible!
According to the beloved and iconic Smokey the Bear, here is a list of ways to safely burn debris in your backyard:
“Check the conditions. Don’t burn when it’s windy or when vegetation is very dry. Check local regulations. In your area, a permit may be required.
Burn this, not that. You can burn dry, natural vegetation, grown on the property, unless prohibited by local ordinances. Household trash, plastic or tires are not good to burn and are illegal to burn in some areas. Check your local ordinances. Look up.
Choose a safe burning site away from powerlines, overhanging limbs, buildings, vehicles, and equipment. You’ll need at least three times the height of the pile of vertical clearance.
Look around. The site should be surrounded by gravel or mineral soil (dirt) at least 10 feet in all directions. Keep the surroundings watered down during the burn and have a shovel close by.
Prepare your pile. Keep your piles small and manageable. Add additional debris as the fire burns down. If using a burn barrel, make sure it’s made entirely of metal, properly equipped (at least three evenly-spaced, three-inch, screened vents and metal top screen) and in good condition,”.
As a camping veteran, I have camped in state parks, national forests, and private, resort-type campgrounds. All of these camping experiences have their own rules and regulations on campfires. In State Parks, fire rings are provided at each campsite.
The two National Forests in Michigan do not have fire rings; you can dig a pit suitable for your needs. When my cousins and I were in our twenties, we had an annual camping trip during the Fourth of July weekend.
Being young with twenty-five or more people, of course, we would dig enormous pits and have humongous bonfires! Put it this way, the guys would grab downed trees out of the forest, and because the pit was so large, all they had to do was place the dead trees in the pit without having to cut them into smaller logs. We would burn teepee fires, crisscross/log cabin, and long fires.
What is the main cause of wildfires
In conclusion, humans must be mindful and take necessary precautions to prevent accidents that lead to wildfires. Efforts to educate the public about fire safety and prevention, such as the Smokey Bear campaign, play an essential role in reducing human-caused wildfires.
Smokey Bear, with its simple yet powerful message, “Only YOU can prevent forest fires,” reminds people of their responsibility to protect our natural surroundings.