There are a few ways wildland fires start, but can be generally broken down to either by nature or by man. A lot of the "hard to access" fires are started by lightning strikes. Generally these occur during dry storms, but not always. read more
Grass fires are a major concern for firefighters in early spring; they get quickly out of control and can cause serious damage in agricultural and forested lands. Forest fire officials encourage people not to light grass fires or burn debris. Burning dry grass in fields or yard debris can spread to nearby forests. read more
Selective logging, for example, can leave the forest fragmented or punch holes in the canopy, drying out the vegetation below. This, combined with the effects of climate change, is leaving the Amazon much more likely to catch fire. read more