2017 YTD National Fire Statistics
| USFS | All | FS % of All Jurisdictions | |
| Fires | 6,617 | 71,499 | 10% |
| Acres | 2,866,031 | 10,026,086 | 29% |
| RX Fires | 2,323 | 202,250 | 1% |
| RX Acres | 958,264 | 6,421,972 | 15% |
What are some interesting facts about forest fires?
Interesting Facts about Forest Fires A crown fire is a fire that spreads quickly by burning across the tops of trees. Wildfires in the United States typically burn between 4 million and 9 million acres each year.
What is the largest forest fire in history?
the largest forest fire was the Miramichi Fire in New Brunswick, Canada in 1825 with about 3 million acres (12150 km²). this fire killed 160 people.But that is only for North America. Answer has 9 votes. Currently voted the best answer. Answer has 9 votes.
What city in California has the most wildfires?
Why Does California Have So Many Wildfires?
- The (changing) climate. The first is California’s climate. ...
- People. Even if the conditions are right for a wildfire, you still need something or someone to ignite it. ...
- Fire suppression. It’s counterintuitive, but the United States’ history of suppressing wildfires has actually made present-day wildfires worse.
- The Santa Ana winds. ...
What causes most forest fires?
What Causes Forest Fires?
- Human Causes. Human activities near or within forested areas are the number one cause of forest fires. ...
- Natural Causes. Lightning is the biggest natural cause of forest fires. ...
- Prevention. Most natural fires are usually monitored and allowed to burn, with the aim of balancing a forest's ecology.
How many forest fires happen a year?
Since 2000, an annual average of 70,072 wildfires has burned an annual average of 7.0 million acres.
How many forest fires happened in 2020?
9,900 wildfiresQuick Summary. Just over 9,900 wildfires burned about 4.3 million acres in 2020. That's more than twice the previous record of acres burned in California.
How many forest fires are there in 2021?
Wildfires By State, 2021StateNumber of firesNumber of acres burnedCalifornia9,2602,233,666Colorado1,01748,195Connecticut60127Delaware0049 more rows
How much damage is caused by forest fires?
NOAA estimates the total costs of wildfires in 2017 and 2018 to be more than $40 billion. In 2019, wildfires caused an estimated $4.5 billion in damages in California and Alaska.
What percentage of wildfires are caused by humans?
Nearly 85 percent* of wildland fires in the United States are caused by humans. Human-caused fires result from campfires left unattended, the burning of debris, equipment use and malfunctions, negligently discarded cigarettes, and intentional acts of arson.
How many wildfires happened in 2022?
2,7112022 California wildfiresStatisticsTotal fires2,711Total area10,861 acres (4,395 ha)Buildings destroyed21+4 more rows
Which country has the most wildfires?
Throughout 2021, Brazil reported approximately 184 thousand wildfire outbreaks, by far the highest figure in South America....Number of wildfires in South America in 2021, by country or territory.CharacteristicNumber of wildfiresBrazil184,081Bolivia34,429Argentina33,867Paraguay25,1299 more rows•Jan 11, 2022
Where are forest fires most common?
The most noted areas on Earth for wildfire include the vegetated areas of Australia, Western Cape of South Africa and throughout the dry forests and grasslands of North America and Europe.
How long do forest fires last?
U.S. wildfire seasons now last an average 76 days longer than in the 1970s and 1980s. Before 1986, a wildfire was contained on average in less than eight days. Since then, the average wildfire has burned for 37 days. Today's photo gallery includes more details.
What is the impact of forest fires?
Wildfires increase air pollution in surrounding areas and can affect regional air quality. The effects of smoke from wildfires can range from eye and respiratory tract irritation to more serious disorders, including reduced lung function, bronchitis, exacerbation of asthma and heart failure, and premature death.
How do fires impact the environment?
It plays a key role in shaping ecosystems by serving as an agent of renewal and change. But fire can be deadly, destroying homes, wildlife habitat and timber, and polluting the air with emissions harmful to human health. Fire also releases carbon dioxide—a key greenhouse gas—into the atmosphere.
How much do forest fires contribute to global warming?
To put the carbon dioxide emissions from wildfires into perspective, September 2020 data from the Global Fire Emissions Database show that California wildfires in 2020 generated more than 91 million metric tons of carbon dioxide.
What is the largest wildfire in world history?
It's difficult to say precisely what fire is the biggest in history since fires are rated depending on different factors. Factors such as area burn...
What country has the most wildfires?
A wildfire can happen in any country, but they’re most common in the US and Canada. Other places where forest fires occur often are Australia, Braz...
What is the average size of a wildfire?
The average size of wildfires varies from year to year and has been gradually increasing for some time. In the 1980s, the average size of a US wild...
What was the worst fire in American history?
Based on the number of deaths, the largest wildfire in US history was the Thumb Fire in Thumb, Michigan. It burned more than a million acres and ki...
How many acres has the Amazon burned?
It’s hard to determine the exact acreage of the burned areas in the Amazon. National Geographic estimates that fires have destroyed more than 17% o...
Can rain put out a wildfire?
It depends on the kind of rain and how long it lasts. If there’s lightning, for example, it may contribute to the fire. At least eight hours of rai...
Do you stop wildfires with fire?
Firefighters often use fire to stop a fire, though there's always the risk of making things worse. Controlled burns create a barrier between an onc...
What started the California fires?
Typically, people start most fires in California. For example, the El Dorado fire started when a family used a pyrotechnic device to announce their...
Why does California have wildfires?
Besides people, California’s wildfires are also triggered by its climate. Warm and dry climates are always more prone to fires. However, global war...
How many forest fires happen a year?
As of 1983, the NIFC (National Interagency Fire Center) has been documenting on average 72,000 forest fires. And that’s in the US alone. Unfortunat...
What percentage of wildfires are caused by humans?
Wildland fires. As many as 90 percent of wildland fires in the United States are caused by people, according to the U.S. Department of Interior. Some human-caused fires result from campfires left unattended, the burning of debris, downed power lines, negligently discarded cigarettes and intentional acts of arson.
How many acres were burned in California wildfires?
From October 6 to October 25, eight counties in Northern California were hit by a devastating wildfire outbreak that caused at least 23 fatalities, burned 245,000 acres and destroyed more than 8,700 structures.
How many people died in the Woolsey fire?
It destroyed about 1,600 structures and killed three people. Aon estimates that insured losses from the Woolsey Fire totaled $4.2 billion when it occurred ($4.3 billion in 2020 dollars), making it the third-costliest wildfire in the United States. The Hill Fire burned about 4,500 acres and destroyed four structures.
How many wildfires will there be in 2021?
2021: This year’s wildfire season is predicted to be another severe one. From January 1 to May 13, 2021 there were about 20,780 wildfires, compared with 14,890 in the same period 2020, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. About 547,000 acres were burned, compared with 324,500 in 2020.
How many acres did the CZU fire burn?
The CZU Fire that burned 86,500 acres caused $2.4 billion in insured losses, according to Aon. On September 28 a state of emergency was declared in California in response to the wildfires that burned through Napa, Sonoma and Shasta Counties, where tens of thousands were forced to evacuate.
What are the factors that determine wildfire risk?
The three primary factors considered in analyzing wildfire risk are distribution of vegetative fuel, steepness of slope and degree of access for firefighting equipment . FireLine assigns a wildfire hazard score for each factor plus a cumulative score, on a scale from negligible to extreme risk.
How many acres burned in Oregon in 2021?
All fires in Oregon so far in 2021 burned about 408,000 acres. In California the Beckwourth complex fire which includes the Sugar Fire and Dotta Fire in Plumas County burned 105,348 acres and was 82 percent contained on July 19, according to Arizona Interagency Wildfire Prevention.
What were the effects of the forest fires in the western states?
The forest fires that blazed across the western states this summer were devastating . Residents were displaced from their homes, beloved landscapes were scorched, and people in surrounding regions were forced to breathe smoke and ash from the flames.
How many fires are caused by lightning?
1. Fire is part of the natural cycle of many ecosystems. 2. About 100 cloud-to-ground lightning bolts touch the Earth every single second, and about 24,600 fires are started by lightning each year. 3. Approximately 4 in 5 forest fires are started by humans. 4.
How do fire tornadoes form?
A fire tornado can form when winds around a fire begin to spin. 9. While some animals are displaced by forest fires, burned clearings can become perfect homes for species that benefit from sunlight and nutrient-rich soil. 10. A large enough fire can produce its own weather system. 11.
What is a fire that burns quickly across the tops of trees?
A “crown fire” is one that burns quickly across the tops of trees. 6. Surface fires burn dead leaves and brush, making more room for animals like moose and deer to pass through. 7. Fires move faster when traveling uphill. 8. A fire tornado can form when winds around a fire begin to spin. 9.
Do lodgepole pine trees like fires?
Lodgepole pine trees love forest fires. The extreme temperatures allow them to release seeds from their otherwise tightly sealed cones. To learn even more about forest fires, check out our sources at Natural History Museum of Utah, ABC News, Accuweather.com, and Indiana Public Media. It’s important to understand the benefits of forest fires, ...
General Global Wildfire Statistics
Wildfires are a part of nature, and nothing can be done to stop them from happening entirely.
Australian Bushfires and Wildfire Statistics
The Australian bushfires have received a lot of attention over the last couple of months, and with reason.
Amazon Rainforest Fire Facts
The Amazon rainforest extends across 6.7 million square kilometers. For comparison, it’s about twice the size of India.
California Wildfire Statistics
The last couple of years have been very harsh for California when it comes to forest fires getting out of control.
Conclusion
There are arguments about climate change. People discuss whether it’s taking place at all and being the culprit for the recent wildfires getting out of control. However, shifts in weather patterns are clearly impacting the number of seasonal wildfires.
Where do wildfires occur?
Wildfires often occur in (duh) wild, unpopulated areas, but they can occur anywhere and harm homes, agriculture, humans, and animals in their path. [1] Firefighters also refer to these disasters as surface fires, dependent crown fires, spot fires, and ground fires.
How do wildfires spread?
90% of all wildfires are started by humans. [3] “Crown fires” are spread by wind moving quickly across the tops of trees. “Running crown fires” are even more dangerous because they burn extremely hot, travel rapidly, and can change direction quickly. [4]
What's the Truth About Forest Fires?
The answers might surprise you. Fire has many faces, including being nature’s oldest land management tool. Click here to learn more about the surprising history of wildfire’s role in our forests -- and how it is changing.
How We Can Safeguard Our Homes, Strengthen Our Communities, and Protect Our Landscapes
Wildfires remind us that nature is a wild force. But there are science-based steps we can take to protect our homes, communities, and forested landscapes. Click here to learn the right approach.
The impacts of forest fires on communities cannot be overstated
That’s why we must listen to the voices of people who live and own businesses in and near forests, as well as pay attention to the opinions of experts, like firefighters and scientists.
When did the Forest Service stop collecting wildfire statistics?
The two lines represent two different reporting systems though the Forest Service stopped collecting statistics (orange line) in 1997 and is not planning to update them, those statistics are shown here for comparison.
When did wildfires increase?
The extent of area burned by wildfires each year appears to have increased since the 1980s. According to National Interagency Fire Center data, of the 10 years with the largest acreage burned, all have occurred since 2004, including the peak year in 2015 (see Figure 2).
How do wildfires affect the ecosystem?
Together, forests, shrubland, and grassland cover more than half of the land area in the United States. 1 These ecosystems are important resources, both environmentally and economically. Although wildfires occur naturally and play a long-term role in the health of these ecosystems, changing wildfire patterns threaten to upset the status quo. Multiple studies have found that climate change has already led to an increase in wildfire season length, wildfire frequency, and burned area. 2,3 The wildfire season has lengthened in many areas due to factors including warmer springs, longer summer dry seasons, and drier soils and vegetation. 4 Similarly, climate change threatens to increase the frequency, extent, and severity of fires through increased temperatures and drought (see the U.S. and Global Temperature and Drought indicators). 5 Earlier spring melting and reduced snowpack (see the Snowpack indicator) result in decreased water availability during hot summer conditions, which in turn contributes to an increased wildfire risk, allowing fires to start more easily and burn hotter. These trends of longer wildfire seasons and larger wildfire size are predicted to continue as more frequent and longer droughts occur. 6 In addition to climate change, other factors—land use, large-scale insect infestation, fuel availability (including invasive species such as highly flammable cheatgrass), and management practices, including fire suppression—play an important role in wildfire frequency and intensity. All of these factors influencing wildfires vary greatly by region and over time, as do precipitation, wind, temperature, vegetation types, and landscape conditions. Therefore, understanding changes in fire characteristics requires long-term records, a regional perspective, and consideration of many factors. 7
What is the indicator of wildfires?
This indicator defines a wildfire as "a wildland fire originating from an unplanned ignition, such as lightning, volcanos, unauthorized and accidental human caused fires, and prescribed fires that are declared wildfires.” 17 This indicator tracks four aspects of wildfires over time: the total number of fires (frequency), the total land area burned (extent), the degree of damage that fires cause to the landscape (severity), and the acreage burned by fires starting in each month of the year (seasonal patterns).
What are the factors that influence wildfires?
All of these factors influencing wildfires vary greatly by region and over time, as do precipitation, wind, temperature, vegetation types, and landscape conditions. Therefore, understanding changes in fire characteristics requires long-term records, a regional perspective, and consideration of many factors. 7.
How many acres are burned in a square mile?
For reference, there are 640 acres in a square mile; therefore, an average burned area of 6.4 acres per square mile would mean that fires burned 1 percent of a state’s total land area. A few states did not have any fires that were large enough to be included in this analysis. Data source: MTBS, 2020 26.
Who tracks fires?
The total area and total number of fires are tracked by the National Interagency Fire Center, which compiles reports from local, state, and federal agencies that are involved in fighting wildfires. The U.S. Forest Service tracked similar data using a different reporting system until 1997.
Wild Fire Statistics
The National Center for Environmental Information reports that there were 5,984 wild fires reported in 2021, which is up 244 from the year before. The highest number of fires since 2000 was in 2001, when there were 10,223 fires, and the least was in 2004, with only 1,368 fires.
Forest Fire Statistics
In the American southwest, there’s been a significant increase in the number of forest fires. Before the 1930s, fires on the ponderosa were not an important issue. However, in 1960, the numbers began to increase significantly, and in 1980, they spiked again to an all-time high, where they remain today.
Death by Fire Statistics
The U.S. Fire Administration used its data to determine the risk of death by fire for each state in America and found 24 with a higher-than-average risk. Of those with a higher risk, Alaska, the District of Columbia, Mississippi, and Oklahoma are especially high. Florida, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and oddly, California are all fairly low-risk areas.
What Causes Wild Fires?
Drought is a major cause of forest fires because it dries out the ground and makes it easy for the fire to spread. Areas like California, Oregon, and Washington can experience very little rain at certain times of the year, and large portions of those states can face drought conditions.
How Can I Prevent Wild Fires?
The best thing you can do to prevent wild fires is to be careful when you’re outside and use items that can start a fire. Cigarettes are among the biggest causes of fire, so if you smoke, make sure that yours is out before you get rid of it.
What Should I Do If I See a Wild Fire?
If you are driving or walking and see evidence of a wild fire, we highly recommend calling the local fire department and staying far away from it. Even a small fire can spread very quickly and surround you, putting you and anyone with you in life-threatening danger.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, wild fires are on the increase in the United States largely due to heavy drought conditions we’ve been facing.