More hot stuff about fires - facts about forest fires

Ranger Rick, August, 1997

* Many years ago, forest rangers thought that all forest fires should be put out right away. Now we understand that many forests depend on fires to stay healthy.

* Forest fires like the one in this story can be like good gardeners. They get rid of some of the dead branches, old pine needles, and leaves on the ground. The ashes from the fire also add minerals to the soil, which helps plants grow.

* In some forests, people have kept fires from burning for many years. Without small fires once in a while, a lot of dead stuff piles up. All this extra fuel can cause a really hot and dangerous fire--one that destroys everything: small trees, large trees, and even people's houses.

* In forests where there have been no fires for many years, rangers sometimes start small fires on purpose. They do this when the weather is just right and the woods are moist, so the fires won't get out of control. This can keep forests healthy and may prevent really bad fires in the future.