Wildfires

This weekend’s “Storm Stories” episode is on the wildfires that scorched thousands of acres in Texas back in 2006.

A lightning strike started the wildfire back then, but they can start in other ways too.

In just secondds, a spark or even the sun’s heat alone sets off an inferno.  The wildfire quickly spreads, consuming the thick, dried-out vegetation and almost everything else in its path.  What was once a forest becomes a virtual powder keg of untapped fuel.  In a seemingly instantaneous burst, the wildfire overtakes thousands of acres of surrounding land, threatening the homes and lives of many in the vicinity.

An average of 5 million acres burns every year in the United States, causing millions of dollars in damage.  Once a fire begins, it can spread at a rate of up to 14.29 miles per hour, consuming everything in its path.  As a fire spreads over brush and trees, it may take on a life of its own—finding ways to keep itself alive, even spawning smaller fires by throwing embers miles away.  In this article, we will look at wildfires, exploring how they are born, live and die.

On a hot summer day, when drought conditions peak, something as small as a spark from a train car’s wheel striking the track can ignite a raging wildfire.  Sometimes, fires occur naturally, ignited by heat from the sun or a lightning strike.  However, the majority of wildfires are the result of human carelessness.

Common causes for wildfires include:
Arson, campfires, discarding lit cigarettes, improperly burning debris, playing with matches or fireworks, and prescribed fires