5 Common Causes of Wildland Fires To Avoid

Nature is a beautiful thing to experience and impacts humanity in many ways. And just as nature affects us, we also affect it and cause harm. Wildfires are common occurrences in the natural world, with multiple factors that cause them to break out, both natural and human. People should do everything they can to avoid starting wildfires to help preserve nature and keep people safe.

Lightning

Lightning is a common natural cause of wildland fires. A lightning bolt is about 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit; when it strikes the ground, it burns any nearby objects. When lighting sets a patch of earth ablaze, that fire spreads with extreme heat and begins to take the land in a blazing sweep.

While lightning is a natural phenomenon, people can put away or cover fire-prone objects such as machines or metal wiring before a thunderstorm. Doing so can decrease the chance of lightning striking and causing a fire.

Hot Coals

Lots of people have BBQs in Texas, especially during the summer, and at some point, a person may dispose of the hot coals too quickly. A fire may start if the ashes from the coals make contact with the leaves in a tree or a pile of papers. Hot coals are especially dangerous in places such as parks where plenty of trees and bushes may catch fire. Make sure your coals are completely cool and don’t have any glowing red bits before you dispose of them.

Malfunctioning Machines

Our machines are susceptible to malfunctioning and short circuits, potentially producing wildfires. Factories and plants located in grasslands and forested areas may be at risk of a wildfire if they don’t have proper safety measures such as sprinklers and fire extinguishers. If dried leaves are present around burning machines, this may cause a type of wildland fire called a surface fire that burns along the surface of the ground.

Arson

Unfortunately, arson is another cause of wildland fires. When a person burns a house or building, the fire could spread to other buildings or parts of nature and cause a wildland fire. Arson occurs more often than you may think. Thankfully, we can prevent the fire from spreading with the proper safety protocols.

Improperly Built Campfires

It’s always important to practice campfire safety to ensure people remain safe while camping. Uncontrolled campfires are a common cause of wildland fires and are an immediate threat to forested areas. Learning proper campfire safety and having items like a pale of water will help you avoid dangerous fires that may put your life at risk.

There are many causes of wildland fires, and we should always be prepared for them. Practice safety and precaution as much as possible to prevent a fire from starting in your area.