Causes of Forest Fires

Causes of Forest Fires

There are many contributions to forest fires, both due to humans and natural causes. Forest fires need fuel, oxygen, and heat in order to survive. The fuel is provided through bushes, trees, and houses, oxygen is a given since it is everywhere, and the natural climate of California provides the heat. Wood reacts at 572 degrees with oxygen to produce a flame; things such as lightening, camp fire sparks, and flint help wood start this reaction.

Other causes of Forest Fires:

1. Man’s negligence
- along roadways
- in rural areas
- in wooded areas
- along railway lines
- tourists recreational activities
- fire-cracks, rockets, other explosives
- dumping and burning of illegal wastes
- bad maintenance of electrical lines
- broken or fallen wires

2. Forces of nature

3. Earthquakes (1906 San Francisco earthquake)

4. Sparks from trains or other locomotives

5. Burning and clearing of land

6. Intent on seeking advantages, such as opening new trails

7. Arson

8. Weather (temperature, humidity, precipitation, and wind)

9. Steep slopes offer greater potential for increased fire intensity (making it more difficult to fight the fire)

10. In 2006 83% of forest fires were started by human activities

11. smokers (dropping cigarettes or matches into brush)