Causes of Wildfires: How Do They Start?

If you ask any of the dryads in my grove how wildfires start, they will immediately reply, “wu’akitaliñ” or humans in English. If they’re especially angry, they might add the expletive “pashi” to it. But the adage, “Wu’akitaliñ pfla ja’itsä’ñu” (Humans cause forest fires) exists for a reason. But there is more to it than just “humans.” After all, barring those crazy stories of spontaneous combustion, most humans don’t spark fires simply by existing. And there are other causes of wildfires beyond simple human negligence.

Wildfires start from surprisingly simple origins. Understanding the causes of wildfires is an essential part of preventing them. And preventing wildfires can help save dryad forests and human structures as well as the lives of plants, animals, humans, dryads and everything else under the protection of Latñi Tsiloki.

Sources of Ignition: Key Causes of Wildfires

Lightning Strikes

Lightning is one of the most common natural sources of wildfires. When a lightning strike hits a tree or other combustible material, the intense heat—lightning can heat the air it passes through up to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit¹—ignites a fire, which can then spread to nearby vegetation. Heat is one of the three things fire needs to start, along with fuel and oxygen.

Most lightning-induced wildfires occur during thunderstorms, commonly in the late afternoon and evening. But there isn’t a lot you can do to protect against lightning strikes. If you notice a fire started by lightning, your best bet is to call the local firefighters. Do not try to put it out yourself, especially not during a storm. Instead, follow these lightning tips from the National Weather Service.

Human Activities: The Leading Cause of Wildfires

Human activities are by far the leading cause of wildfires. According to the United States National Parks Service, about 85% of wildfires are human-caused². Human-induced climate change, leading to warmer and drier conditions, exacerbates the likelihood and intensity of these fires. So I guess my family is right, humans do cause forest fires.

Campfires

One of the most common culprits is campfires. People often fail to extinguish these fires thoroughly, and hot embers can easily ignite nearby vegetation.

Always fully extinguish your campfires

1. Allow the fuel to burn completely to ash if possible. Logs can sometimes appear unburnt but be burning inside.
2. Pour a lot of water on the fire, making sure to cover all the embers, not just ones that are red.
3. Keep adding more water until you cannot hear any hissing.
4. Stir the ashes with a shovel.
5. Scrape any sticks or logs to remove embers.
6. Stir again and add more water if there are bits not wet.

If you don’t have water, you can use dirt, preferably sand. But do not bury the fire, as this can cause roots to burn underground which can be even more difficult to put out. ³

Discarded Cigarettes

Discarded cigarette butts can also spark wildfires, especially in an environment primed for ignition. Unfortunately, not everyone who smokes in the outdoors disposes of their cigarette butts or extinguishes them fully before tossing them away.

Equipment Sparks

Sparks from equipment, such as chainsaws or tractors, can ignite grass and other combustible materials. Similarly, combustion engines can throw sparks that ignite dry vegetation. Even a hot car exhaust pipe can start a fire under the right conditions. Several fires in Washington state have started when a car muffler or other engine part scraped against asphalt.

Other things people might not think of as “equipment” also fall into this category. Simple party favors and supposedly safe fireworks have started wildfires. And in California, one couple was charged with manslaughter after their gender reveal party started the El Dorado fire.⁴

Arson

Unfortunately, human intention can sometimes play a part, with arsonists deliberately setting wildfires.

Ideal Wildfire Conditions: Dryness, Winds, and Fuel

Dry Climate

Dry environments are prone to wildfires. A prolonged absence of rain dehydrates vegetation, making it more susceptible to ignition.

Strong Winds

Strong winds fuel wildfires by providing them with more oxygen and driving them to new fuel sources.

Abundant Fuel

Areas with ample dry, combustible vegetation are predisposed to wildfires.

How Can We Prevent Wildfires?

• Always fully extinguish your campfire before leaving.
• Don’t toss cigarette butts onto the ground—dispose of them responsibly.
• Use equipment responsibly and don’t operate spark-emitting machinery in fire-prone areas.
• Adhere to local fire restrictions when they are in place. They are there to prevent wildfires and protect both natural spaces and human lives.

While the power of wildfires can seem overwhelming, we’re not powerless against them. Understanding the causes of wildfires and practicing responsible behavior can have a significant impact in wildfire prevention. Every small action on our part contributes to a larger change. Let’s use our understanding to practice responsibility and make a real difference.

Klifal, Dear reader and Tsitwash for Reading!

Note: Klifal and Tsitwash are words in Dryadic. Klifal means "Hello" and Tsitwash means "Thanks."

I hope you enjoyed this article! If you liked my unique perspective, you'll love reading my full story in the novel Digital Dryad by Jennifer Kyrnin. Digital Dryad is coming out June 12, 2024, in print and ebook formats.

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