The Science of Wildfires
It’s wildfire season and people across the country watch the conditions and the weather hoping their home will be spared.
Areas with dense trees, grass, shrubs or other plant growth are more susceptible to wildfires, especially after a wet season in spring followed by a dry season in summer.
According to How Stuff Works, an average of 5 million acres burn every year in the United States, threatening homes, property and the lives of those in the fire area.
The largest fire in Arizona history, the 841-square mile Wallow Fire is now 77% contained. Two other large fires – the Horseshoe Two and the Monument Fire have also raged across the state this June. The Horseshoe Two in southeastern Arizona burned over 348 square miles and is now completely contained. The Monument Fire near Sierra Vista is about 85% contained after burning 47 square miles and destroying 57 homes.
This past week, two forest rangers were killed while fighting a wildfire in northern Florida.
Smokey the Bear defines a wildfire as an “unwanted, unplanned,
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