Wildfire: Large, Uncontrolled Fires

A wildfire is a large, uncontrolled fire which can destroy an area of land very quickly. Areas with no human population are the most common places for wildfires to occur, however wildfires can occur in populated areas and have the ability to destroy houses, organisms, and agriculture. A wildfire requires three conditions to occur : fuel, oxygen, and a heat source. Any flammable material in the area surrounding the fire is fuel. The amount of fuel determines the intensity of the fire. Oxygen is necessary for fire to burn. Air provides this oxygen. Heat sources are what actually spark the fire and heat the fuel to a temperature where it can catch fire.Although wildfires can occur naturally, roughly ninety percent of all wildfires are caused by