In recent years, wildfires have become more frequent, more intense, and more destructive especially in Canada. As citizens of this vast and beautiful country, we need to understand why wildfires are increasing and what we can do to prepare for future events.
In this article from SENSENET, we explore 12 important and surprising facts about wildfires. These insights could make a real difference in how we protect our environment and ourselves.
1. Human Activity Is the Leading Cause of Wildfires
Despite repeated warnings to be cautious with fire during outdoor activities, such as fully extinguishing campfires or avoiding tossing lit cigarettes into dry brush, human behaviour remains the top cause of wildfires in Canada.
Many assume that lightning is the main trigger, but in reality, its destructive impact is far less common than that caused by careless or intentional human actions.
2. Fire Needs Three Things: Fuel, Oxygen, and Heat
Every wildfire needs a combination of fuel, oxygen, and heat to ignite and spread. In recent years, dried-up plant material and deadwood have accumulated on forest floors creating an abundant fuel source.
At the same time, global temperatures are rising. Think back to your childhood: were summers this hot? We’ve been warned about global warming for decades, yet little has been done to stop it. Now, we’re seeing the consequences, wildfires being one of the most visible and destructive outcomes.
3. Wind Is a Wildfire’s Best Friend (and a Firefighter’s Worst Enemy)
Without wind, a fire is far easier to control. But when high temperatures are combined with strong gusts, the danger escalates fast. Wind carries flames over large distances and feeds the fire with oxygen, making it spread rapidly.
Ask any firefighter, and they’ll confirm: strong wind is their greatest challenge. Many of Canada’s most devastating wildfires in history were intensified due to high winds.
4. Wildfires Destroy More Than Trees
It’s easy to think wildfires only affect forests but the impact goes far beyond burning vegetation.
Wildfires can destroy homes, businesses, and animal habitats. They shut down local economies, deter tourists, and displace entire communities. And let’s not forget the danger to human lives.
Even the smoke released during a wildfire is harmful. It affects people’s lungs, causes long-term health issues, and lingers in the air for days or weeks. These fires leave deep scars, not just on the land, but also on the people who live there.
5. Wildfires and Climate Change Are Deeply Connected
If you’ve been wondering why forest fires are so frequent and intense, the answer lies in climate change.
Global temperatures are rising. Summers are becoming longer, hotter, and drier, creating ideal conditions for wildfires to start and spread. But the relationship is two-way: when forests burn, they release massive amounts of CO₂ into the atmosphere, further accelerating climate change.
This creates a vicious cycle: climate change fuels wildfires, and wildfires worsen climate change.
6. Wildfires Can Create Their Own Weather
Yes, you read that right, wildfires can generate their own microclimate. Intense heat can lead to the formation of fire whirls (essentially fire tornadoes), and thick plumes of smoke may result in a unique cloud type called pyrocumulonimbus. These clouds can produce lightning, which can trigger even more wildfires, creating a dangerous cycle.
7. Some Wildfires Burn Underground
In certain swampy or bog-filled regions, layers of peat, coal, or organic matter can catch fire and smoulder beneath the surface. These underground wildfires move slowly but are incredibly difficult to extinguish, sometimes lasting for months undetected. They’re rare but incredibly destructive due to how hard they are to monitor and suppress.
8. Wildfires Have Left Ancient Scars on Earth
Scientists studying fossils and tree rings have found strong evidence that wildfires have shaped the Earth’s ecosystem for millions of years. These “ancient scars” tell the story of how fire has always been part of the natural cycle.
However, due to climate change, we are now experiencing a new type of fire, larger, hotter, and more frequent than ever before, posing greater threats to ecosystems, economies, and human life.
9. Some Animals and Plants Adapt to Wildfires
Though many animals and plants are tragically lost during wildfires, nature always finds a way. Some species have adapted in remarkable ways.
For instance, certain beetles can detect the scent of fire from miles away. They then fly toward recently burned trees to lay their eggs. Likewise, some plant species rely on extreme heat to trigger seed release, using fire as a way to regenerate and reproduce.
10. Wildfire Smoke Can Travel for Miles
Wildfire smoke isn’t just a local problem. Carried by wind, it can travel hundreds of kilometres, polluting air quality in regions far from the original fire zone.
The smoke often contains dangerous toxins such as carbon monoxide, which can severely impact the lungs and heart of both humans and animals. Inhaling wildfire smoke even far from the flames poses a serious public health risk.
11. Wildfires Take a Toll on Mental Health
Still think wildfires are just a natural event? Take a closer look at Canadian regions affected by severe wildfires, and you’ll see the mental health crisis they leave behind.
The emotional and psychological damage is significant. Community trauma, displacement, anxiety, depression, and even PTSD are commonly reported among wildfire survivors. The emotional scars can last long after the flames are gone.
12. The Economic Costs Are Massive
The impact of wildfires isn’t just environmental or emotional, it’s also deeply economic. Beyond the destruction of homes, forests, and infrastructure, wildfires damage entire local economies.
In regions that depend on tourism, visitor numbers plummet, and small businesses suffer. Property values also decline in fire-prone zones, making recovery even harder.
Final Thoughts: Smart Tools Can Help Us Fight Back
There are countless facts about wildfires, but perhaps the most powerful one is this:
With the right tools, like drones, sensors, and surveillance cameras, we can detect wildfires early and stop them before they spread.
Want to learn more about these innovative technologies?
Visit our products page!