Wildfires consume vegetation that would otherwise become overgrown, creating ideal conditions for a catastrophic wildfire. Wildfires allow more open spaces for new and different kinds of vegetation to grow and receive sunlight. This, in turn, provides fresh nutrients and shelter for forest plants and animals. Wildfires also keep our forests healthy by consuming harmful insects and diseases.
On the negative side, wildfires can destroy homes, lives, and millions of acres of forest. The aftermath of a fire can sometimes be worse than the fire itself. Fires burn trees and plants that prevented erosion. If heavy rains occur after a fire there will be landslides, ash flows, and flash flooding that can damage property and affect the water supply.
Types of Wildfire
Prescribed burns are a type of fire prevention tool used by fire management teams. Prescribed burns mimic a natural fire and are used to counteract the negative effects of the “total suppression” policy that was used in the past. Very careful research is conducted before a prescribed burn is allowed to take place. Fire management teams must know the best place, the best time of year, and the best conditions in which to conduct their prescribed burn.
Surface fires are fires that burn through the undergrowth and leaf litter of a forest. These types of fires prevent future “crown fires” which can become very dangerous. Surface fires release nutrients that would otherwise decompose slowly, having little benefit to the ecosystem.
Crown fires spread from the ground to the top branches of trees and can move at incredible speeds. Crown fires can easily jump most firebreaks such as roads, rivers, or man-made breaks because flame lengths can be so high.
Jumping or “spot” fires are caused when burning debris are carried by the wind to distant locations and start new fires. Sometimes these smaller fires burn into each other causing one very large, very dangerous fire.