How do wildfires start?

What Are Wildfires?

Wildfires are intense, uncontrolled fires that burn across forests, grasslands, or bushlands. These natural disasters can spread rapidly and consume vast areas, leaving lasting impacts on the environment, economy, and human health. With thousands of wildfires occurring globally each year, it's important to understand how they start, what causes them, and why they seem to be happening more often.

In this post, we’ll explore the causes of wildfires, their growing intensity, and the regions most at risk.

Impact of Wildfires

The effects of wildfires extend far beyond the obvious damage - the areas they burn.

Environmental Damage

Wildfires destroy forests and animal habitats, reduce biodiversity, and contribute to soil erosion and water contamination.

Air Pollution

Smoke from wildfires contains harmful particulates and carbon dioxide, worsening air quality and contributing to global warming.

Health Hazards

Poor air quality from wildfire smoke can cause respiratory issues, especially for children, the elderly, and those with preexisting conditions.

Economic Cost

The cost of wildfire damage—including firefighting, emergency response, property loss, and recovery—can be enormous. For instance, in 2023, wildfires in Europe caused an estimated €4.1 billion in damages (Bloomberg, 2023).

(Bloomberg, 2023)

Are Wildfires Getting Worse?

Short answer, yes!

Research shows that climate change plays a key role in increasing wildfire risk. Rising temperatures, long-term droughts, and changing rainfall patterns are creating perfect conditions for wildfires to ignite and spread (Center for American Progress, 2020).

Human activity also plays a growing role. Urban expansion into wildland areas introduces more ignition sources and infrastructure, which can make fires worse. According to NASA, human-caused wildfires now outnumber naturally occurring ones (NASA, n.d.). Moreover, human-caused wildfires tend to be more destructive and harder to control (Joosse, 2020).

Most common places for Wildfires?

Although wildfires can occur anywhere dry conditions and flammable vegetation exist, certain areas are especially vulnerable. These include:

California and the Western United States

With hot, dry summers and extensive forests, this region is a hotspot for wildfires (Western Fire Chiefs Association, n.d.).

Australia

The dry bushland and hot climate make Australia particularly prone to bushfires.

Mediterranean countries

Countries like Greece, Spain and Italy regularly face summer wildfires due to their dry climates.

Amazon Rainforest

Although typically humid, deforestation and dry conditions have led to increased fires in this region.

What causes wildfires?

Wildfires are caused by natural phenomena and human activity. While nature can start fires, humans are responsible for the majority—nearly 90% of wildfires in the U.S., for example (Western Fire Chiefs Association, n.d).

Natural Causes

Lightning Strikes

When lightning strikes a tree or dry vegetation, it can ignite a wildfire. This is the most common natural cause of wildfires.

Spontaneous combustion

Under specific conditions, organic material like compost or hay can self-ignite due to heat buildup.

Human Causes

Campfires left attended

Many natural and camping areas provide specific locations for campfires. Unfortunately, these rules are not always followed, and fires are sometimes left unsupervised, increasing the risk of a wildfire.

Discarded cigarettes

Lit cigarettes are frequently thrown from vehicles or buildings, and when they land on dry vegetation, they can easily ignite it, potentially causing fast-spreading fires.

Burning Debris

Under the right conditions, burning yard debris can quickly escalate into a wildfire. Wind can carry embers over long distances, igniting multiple new hotspots.

Power lines

 Faulty or downed lines can ignite nearby vegetation

Arson

Unfortunately, fires are also set intentionally by people.

Conclusion

Understanding how wildfires start is key to preventing them. While some causes are natural and unavoidable, many wildfires are sparked by human negligence or activity. As wildfires become more frequent and intense, proactive efforts and wildfire prevention, such as responsible land management, public awareness, and climate action, are essential. By addressing both the causes and the conditions that fuel wildfires, we can work toward a future with fewer destructive fire events.

References:

Bloomberg News. (2023, September 4). Greece suffers most damage as wildfires cost Europe €4.1 billion. Bloomberg. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-09-04/greece-suffers-most-damage-as-wildfires-cost-europe-4-1-billion

Western Fire Chiefs Association. (n.d.). What causes wildfires?  https://wfca.com/wildfire-articles/what-causes-wildfires/#:~:text=Humans%20cause%20nearly%2090%25%20of,lightning%20strikes%20and%20volcanic%20eruptions

Center for American Progress. (2020, August 28). How climate change makes wildfires more dangerous. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/how-climate-change-makes-wildfires-more-dangerous/

NASA. (n.d.). Wildfires and climate change. NASA Science. https://science.nasa.gov/wildfires-and-climate-change/

Joosse, T. (2020, February 27). Human-sparked wildfires are more destructive than those caused by nature. Science. https://www.science.org/content/article/human-sparked-wildfires-are-more-destructive-those-caused-nature

Western Fire Chiefs Association. (n.d.). Where do wildfires occur? https://wfca.com/wildfire-articles/where-do-wildfires-occur/