What Are Forest Fires?

A forest fire (also called a wildfire) is an uncontrolled fire that spreads through vegetation such as forests, grasslands, or shrublands. They can start quickly, spread fast, and cause serious damage to the environment, animals, and people.

Causes of Forest Fires

Natural Causes:

– Lightning strikes
– Long periods of drought

Human Causes:

– Campfires not put out properly
– Throwing cigarettes on the ground
– Illegal burning of trash
– Power line sparks

How Fires Spread

Once a fire starts, it spreads quickly because:
– Dry trees and leaves catch fire easily
– Wind pushes the flames further
– High temperatures make fires stronger

Impact on Nature

– Air Pollution: Smoke fills the air and affects breathing.
– Soil Damage: Fire destroys nutrients in the soil.
– Water Pollution: Ash and debris can reach rivers.
– Wildlife: Many animals lose their homes.

Impact on Humans

– Homes and buildings can burn down.
– People may need to evacuate.
– Smoke can cause asthma or other breathing problems.
– Forest fires are very expensive to fight.

Famous Forest Fires

– Amazon Rainforest Fires (2019) — Millions of trees lost.
– Australia Bushfires (2019–2020) — Over 1 billion animals affected.
– California Wildfires (USA) — Large evacuations and damage.

How We Detect Fires

– Satellites detect heat and smoke.
– Drones fly over forests to find fires early.
– Watchtowers help firefighters see smoke quickly.

How We Fight Fires

– Firefighters use water hoses, planes with water or foam, and fire breaks.
– Sometimes, they use controlled fires to stop bigger ones.

Prevention and What You Can Do

– Never leave campfires unattended.
– Do not throw cigarettes in nature.
– Follow fire bans in dry seasons.
– Plant trees after a fire to help nature recover.

Climate Change and the Future

Climate change makes fires worse:
– Hotter summers
– Less rain
– Stronger winds

We must reduce pollution and protect forests to stop more wildfires.

Glossary

Wildfire: A large, uncontrolled fire in nature.
Evacuation: Leaving a dangerous area to stay safe.
Fire break: An area cleared to stop a fire from spreading.
Smoke: Gas and particles from burning.

Resources

– National Geographic Kids – Wildfires
– NASA Earth Observatory
– World Wildlife Fund (WWF)