List of wildfires

List of Wildfires is a comprehensive record of notable wildfires worldwide. Wildfires, also known as forest fires, are uncontrolled fires that rapidly spread across vegetation and forest areas. They can cause extensive damage to ecosystems, property, and human lives.

Causes of Wildfires

Wildfires can be caused by both natural and human factors. Natural causes include lightning strikes and volcanic eruptions. Human causes include arson, discarded cigarettes, unattended campfires, and sparks from equipment.

Effects of Wildfires

The effects of wildfires can be devastating and far-reaching. They can lead to loss of life, property damage, and destruction of wildlife habitats. Additionally, they can also contribute to climate change by releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Notable Wildfires

North America

• Great Fire of 1910: This was one of the largest wildfires in the history of the United States. It burned over three million acres in the states of Idaho, Montana, and Washington.

• Fort McMurray Wildfire: In 2016, this wildfire in Alberta, Canada, forced the evacuation of over 80,000 people and destroyed approximately 2,400 homes and buildings.

Australia

• Black Saturday Bushfires: These were a series of bushfires that ignited on 7 February 2009, in Victoria, Australia. They resulted in 173 fatalities and the destruction of over 2,000 homes.

• 2019-2020 Australian bushfire season: Known as Black Summer, this bushfire season saw unprecedented fire activity across the country, resulting in 34 direct deaths and an estimated one billion animals killed.

Europe

• 2007 Greek forest fires: These wildfires were the deadliest in Greek history, causing 84 fatalities and destroying numerous homes and agricultural lands.

• 2018 Attica wildfires: These wildfires in Greece resulted in 102 confirmed deaths, making it the deadliest wildfire event in Europe since 1900.

Prevention and Control

Prevention and control of wildfires involve a combination of strategies including public education, regulation of fire-prone activities, and active fire suppression efforts. Firefighters use techniques such as controlled burns and the creation of firebreaks to control the spread of wildfires.

See Also

• Fire ecology
• Firefighting
• Wildfire suppression

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List of wildfires gallery

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  1983 Canada wildfires - area burned annually