Wildfires
Wildfires
Wildfires (pronunciation: /ˈwīldˌfīr/), also known as forest fires, vegetation fires, or bushfires, are uncontrolled fires that rapidly spread across vegetation and forest areas.
Etymology
The term "wildfire" comes from the Old English "wildfyr", where "wild" refers to the uncontrolled nature of the fire and "fyr" is the Old English word for fire.
Definition
A wildfire is an uncontrolled fire that consumes combustible vegetation, often in rural areas. Wildfires can occur in various ecosystems, including forests, grasslands, savannas, and peatlands. They can be caused by natural phenomena like lightning or volcanic activity, but are often caused by human activities such as arson, discarded cigarettes, or sparks from equipment.
Related Terms
- Fire Triangle: The three components needed for a fire to occur: heat, fuel, and an oxidizing agent (usually oxygen).
- Firestorm: A fire which attains such intensity that it creates and sustains its own wind system.
- Controlled burn: A fire that is intentionally ignited for benefits such as hazard reduction, ecosystem restoration, or forestry management.
- Firebreak: A gap in vegetation or other combustible material that acts as a barrier to slow or stop the progress of a wildfire.
- Defensible space: An area around a structure where combustible vegetation has been cleared, reduced, or replaced to slow the spread of wildfire towards the structure.
- Arson: The criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property, including vegetation and forests.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Wildfires
- Wikipedia's article - Wildfires
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