Wildfires

Source: Oregon Wild Fires | NASA

A wildfire is described as an uncontrollable fire in a forested area. These fires can start naturally due to lightning strikes, volcanic eruptions and sparks created by a rock fall. However, these fire can also be caused by human activities- which means that they are more commonly called ‘quasi-natural hazards’. All fires can be helpful to the ecosystem by recycling nutrients in the soil and help control the spread of tree diseases and pests. However, wildfires cause environmental, social and economic damages. Heat, droughts and strong winds are some of the weather conditions can contribute to the spread a fire.