Nature’s FuryForest Fires

Karen BrisbaneKiva Elementary

What is a forest fire?

A forest fire is any uncontrolled fire in a wooded place. Other names for forest fires are: brush fire, grass fire, peat fire, and woodland fire. They are usually named by the type of vegetation that is burned. Wildfires are different from other fires because they are large, can change direction, and even jump over roads.

Year-to-date-statistics

Year Number of Fires Acres Burned

2010 28, 132 1, 365, 787

2009 46, 158 1, 849, 994

2008 32, 564 1, 783, 282

2007 44, 179 1, 678, 839

2006 53, 563 3, 187, 940

Forest fires in the United States

What causes a forest fire?

There are four main ways a forest fire can begin. A storm with lightning may ignite a fire. Humans often start fires by being careless at their campsites, tossing cigarette butts, and even intentional arson. A third cause of wildfires is the eruption of a volcano. Finally, and you won’t believe this, forest fires can start from sparks that are formed from rock falls.

Lightning can strike a tree and start a forest fire.

What are the effects of forest fires?

Forest fires can cause extensive damage to land, homes, and people. However, sometimes forest fires can be beneficial. Some ecosystems depend on periodic fires. Fires can promote plant and wildlife diversity by burning away live and dead plants, trees, and leaves.

Forest fires affect our atmosphere and create their own weather systems.

How can you prevent forest fires?

According to Smokey Bear, there are many things we can do to prevent forest fires. First, we should never play with matches. Second, be safe around campfires and make sure to extinguish them when you leave your campsite. Third, adults should maintain any equipment that could cause sparks, such as lawnmowers. Finally, smokers should never throw their cigarettes butts on the ground without properly stomping them out.

Smokey The BearOnly you can prevent forest fires!

Interesting Facts

• Wildfires occur on every continent except Antarctica.

• Smokey the Bear was born on August 9, 1944 when the U.S. Forest Service and the Ad Council agreed that a fictional bear named Smokey would be the symbol for their joint effort to promote forest fire prevention.

• Fires burn more intensely during the day because the sunlight heats up the ground creating wind currents that move upward.

World Continent MapForest Fires occur on every continent except Antarctica because it has no

dry ground material to burn. Areas with a wet, rainy season are more likely to have forest fires.

Review Quiz

1. You can prevent a forest fire by not playing with matches.

True or False

2. Forest fires occur on all continents.True or False

3. Forest fires destroy millions of acres of land yearly. True or False

Glossary

• Arson – when someone intentionally starts a fire to damage land or property

• Extinguish – to put out a fire

• Vegetation – plants and plant life

Works Cited

• Year to date statistics: http://www.nifc.gov/fire_info/nfn.htm

• Smokey the Bear image and research: http://www.smokeybear.com/design-resources.asp

• Forest Fire image: www.people.fas.harvard.edu• Continent Map:

www4.uwm.edu• Lightning starting fire:

www.solarnavigator.net• Forest Fire with firemen images and research: http://

members.multimania.co.uk/NaturalHazards/FFires.html