Wildfires - How They Are Caused & How They Effect The Environment

 I was in the car coming home from school… when I noticed flames destroying a building less than a mile away from where I was. Thick black smoke, bright flames, and sirens alerting… I suddenly felt my heart shatter as I turned down another street.  As I only saw 1 building burning… I can’t imagine how much destruction and mess it would create if a whole forest was on fire.  Wildfires are massive fires (in some cases, even miles long) that cause so much damage and wreckage to the wildlife around us (Source 2).  Huge fires that are incredibly powerful and uncontrollable, wildfires burn millions of acres each year (Source 2).  The longer a wildfire burns, the stronger it gets, making it more dangerous and powerful.  (Source 2) Wildfires are caused by a large number of reasons, but heavily effect the environment as well.

There are many main causes of wildfires, but most “work with others” to create an even larger fire.  We, people are a huge contributor to wildfires, as 95% of all fires are caused by us (Source 1).  One man-made cause of wildfires is cigarettes being disposed incorrectly.  For example, when cigarettes are randomly thrown on dry grass/underbrush, the heat on the cigarette might burn the grass, starting a small spark, and if there is enough dry plants, it could start a fire that spreads to the rest of the forest (Source 2). Campfires are also a key to how wildfires start (especially if they are started in dry areas).  If there is dry grass/underbrush the fire can get out of control and start an even larger fire (similar to cigarettes) (Source 2).  Along with all the man-made causes, the natural environment also creates many wildfires.  For example, dry plants -grass, leaves, twigs, etc- are a huge contributor to wildfires (Source 2).  Lightning is one of the main causes of wildfires when we are talking about natural causes.  For instance, when a lightning spark hits the dry plants, it forms a bigger spark since the hot electrifying lightning hits the dry dehydrated plants.  Since both are so dry and hot, a small flame will spark (Source 1). Another example of a natural cause is dry/hot weather.  When dry/hot weather “meets” dry plants, the effect of barely any moisture is a small fire that can spread all over the forest (Source 1).  All in all, the many causes of wildfires (both man-made and natural) could soon lead to bigger and more fires in the future. 

When wildfires are caused, they are done for multiple reasons if made intentionally.  Some wildfires are made intentionally because they can benefit the environment, but so do the “accidental” ones. For instance, wildfires can clear out a layer of dead material found on the forest ground.  The dead material can cause other plants from growing in, so the fire clears out that layer, letting new and different types of plants grow in (Source 1).  Wildfires can also help certain types of plants release their seeds and reproduce. The heat of a wildfire triggers the seeds and they get “let out” from where they have been living/staying in (Source 2).  In addition, wildfires can help multiple types of flowers release their seeds, resulting in a spring growth of wildflowers (or a superbloom).  The heat of the fire helps the seeds and soil “get ready” for when the springtime comes and they are ready to bloom (Source 4).  Another benefit of wildfires is that they eliminate weeds/dead plants lying around on the ground.  This lets other types/species of plants grow into the forest which can balance out the types of plants in the forest (Source 1).  Finally, wildfires can help increase the amount of plants in a forest/farm.  More plant resources means more food resources which helps us, humans, in the long run (Source 2). 

Along with all the positive effects, wildfires also have many negative effects, almost all of them relating to humans or wildlife.  One negative impact of wildfires is climate change.  Climate change (in this case, heat) can cause areas near the fire to reach warmer temperatures in a matter of hours (Source 1).  Wildfires also burn down many plants/trees that are needed in the environment.  Many of those plants are needed for others to survive, and without them, the environment might slowly shatter (Source 2).  Another negative effect of wildfires is the thick, black smoke it creates.  The smoke can lead to many health/breathing issues since fires can make the air full of chemicals that aren't safe to breathe in (Source 3).  Most importantly, wildfires can destroy buildings, towns, schools, etc.  Most are needed and used in our daily lives and it’s devastating if you ever have to experience your school/work burnt down into pieces.  To illustrate, think about how you’ve been to your school/office almost everyday for possibly years… and going there one day to find that it has been destroyed.  Not to mention the amount of money it would cost to rebuild… (Source 3) All together, wildfires do a lot for the environment whether it’s good or bad, we just never think of any positive effects.

Since wildfires effect the environment in so many ways, we should pay attention to limit causing them.  Most are caused by dry plants laying on the forest because of how dry and dehydrated they are.  After a wildfire forms, it can do a lot to the environment (both positively and negatively).  Now, after thinking about what I saw (a building fire) for over 10 minutes, I realized that spreading awareness about all the devastation wildfires do might make more people cautious of what they do to their campfires, cigarettes, etc.  I personally think wildfires can be both devastating and helpful, but sadly do more damage than help the environment around us.