Forest fire is common in places around the world where climates are moist enough to allow the growth of trees and shrubs, but have extended dry, hot periods. The most noted areas on Earth for wildfire include the vegetated areas of Australia, Western Cape of South Africa and throughout the dry forests and grasslands of North America and Europe.
Wildfires in forests and grasslands in North America are particularly prevalent in the summer, fall and winter, especially during dry periods with an increase in dead fuels and high winds. That period of time is called the wildfire season. Western U.S. fires tend to be more dramatic during summer and fall while Southern fires are hardest to fight in late winter and early spring when fallen branches, leaves, and other material dry out and become highly flammable.
Because of urban creep into existing forests, forest fires can often lead to property damage and has the potential to cause human injury and death. That "wildland urban interface" is a growing zone of transition between developing areas and undeveloped wildland. It makes fire protection a major concern for state and federal governments.
Millions of dollars are spent annually on fire protection and training fire fighters in the United States. An endless list of subjects on how wildfire behaves are collectively called "fire science". I want to very briefly introduce you to some concepts, terminology and web sites where you can explore the subject of wildfire at your leisure.
A Wildfire in the Southern United States - Photo by Steve Nix, Licensed to About.com
Comments
this helped some on my project on wildfires in cali thank yewwwwwwwwww
This helped me on my project in science alot
Steve: I have a concern about the photo of you with the drip torch. Those of us who conduct prescribed fire know that safety is foremost. You do not have any of the proper protective gear other than gloves. People that see this will get the wrong impression. Other wise cool photos.
Thanks
thanks it helps a lot on my project
p.s. if u were in a fire and u wer covered in bacon would it cook in time before u got burned
thank you that helped with my progect
thank you alot it help me with my project
This helped me in aschool project thnx Steve i love your projects PS: i had to make a girly brouchure.
thanxz thiss helped mehh on my mayor grade upp in science
THANX A LOT THIS HELP ME AAAAAAA LOOOOOT 4 MY SCIENCE PROJECT
this reailly truelly helped me on my power point project tech. && its aye good storry
great worrk
This has TONS of information about wildfires and it helpe me a whole bunch on my science project, which is a major grade and im already failing so it was good to have this page pop up.
Oh my gosh! This info helped me so much on my project!
Thank you so much!
Some years ago there was a CD offered showing that wildfire is best controlled by regular burning of the debris on the forest floor so the fire did not get hot enough to kill trees. It was rather expensive so I did not buy one, but took the details to the Fire Brigade HQs where I had forests.
Now that I have sold a few trees I have lost the source of the CDs, can you restate where it was?
This sorta helped me with my language project%
im using this for my project
this help me alot with my project thanks
Lol, a lot of comments on using this article for a science project. how ironic that i’m doing the exact same thing. O_o
haha project too? thanks for the heeelp x
This helped with my writing a lot thanks.Next time I will need something i will look for this site.
this helped me alot on my science project,thx
this helped me alot on my science project, thx!
it helped me with my project alot
Really helped me with my project on wildfires, awesome resources aand facts your should continue!