Wildfires are an important part of the ecosystem. Florida’s native plants evolved based on fires, and they are meant to burn by wildfires periodically. Fires create ash that becomes fertilizer for new plants to grow and the new plants draw animals back into the forest. The dead trees become homes for some animals, such as raccoons and foxes, and provide food (ants and fungus) for other animals. Wildfires are part of the natural process of the forest.
In a matter of seconds, a small flame can grow into a major fire. Wildfires cause environmental, social and economic damages. Not only is a fire itself dangerous, but so are the heat and the smoke the fire produces. The heat and smoke will affect people before the flames.
Heat, droughts and strong winds are some of the weather conditions that can contribute to the spread a fire.