Causes of Wildfires

Causes of Wildfires

1. Human

   • War
   • Combustible objects (eg Fireworks, cigarettes, chinese lanterns, candles)
   • Bonfires, BBQs, Campfires
   • Public utilities (eg Gas leak)
   • Arson
   • Making sparks (friction)
   • Agricultural Escape
   • Prescribed burn escapes
   • Items that focus sun rays (eg broken glass)

2. Natural

   • Lightning
     • Strikes DRY ground; lots of heat energy; burns fuel
   • Temperature
     • Really hot days can help start fires
   • Volcanoes
     • Lava from eruptions can cause fires

3. Conditions needed to start/spread wildfires

   • Dry Fuel (Easier to burn)
   • Weather
     • Temperature
       • Temperature of fuel reaches ignition point
     • Wind
       • Pushes flame to new fuel source. Sparks and embers are carried from fire to start a new one.
       • Dries out fuel
     • Humidity
       • Measure of moisture in the air; moisture dampens fuel and slows spread
       • Humidity is greater at night, less intense flames; travel slower
   • Topography
     • The shape of the land affects the spread of fire (elevation, direction, steepness and exposure to sunlight are also factors.)