Question 2 of 21

What is the number one cause of forest fires?

... Some forest fires are natural, but humans cause more than half of all forest fires through uncontrolled campfires or burning trash and leaves at home. Just 5 percent are attributed to arson, and most of the rest are ignited by lightning strikes.

Question 3 of 21

Fact or fiction: Some trees actually benefit from forest fires.

... Fact: Certain tree species, like the Coulter pine, have adapted to survive and even thrive after a forest fire. Some of these trees produce seeds in shells that are so tough, only the extreme heat from a fire can release the seed.

Question 4 of 21

How long does it take animals to start moving back into a forest after a major fire?

... Surprisingly, some animals start moving back into a forest while the firefighters are still present. Many return before the smoke even clears away.

Question 5 of 21

How much of the organic material in a forest -- like trees, shrubs and nutrients in the soil -- does the average forest fire consume?

... The average forest fire consumes just 10 to 15 percent of the organic matter in the affected area.

Question 6 of 21

Firefighters classify a high-intensity forest fire as one in which the tree canopies or crowns are burned. How long does it take for the forest to regenerate after one of these high-intensity fires?

... After a high-intensity fire, the forest may take 20 years or more to begin the recovery process. Trees that can tolerate extreme drought and heat, such as the oak or the ponderosa pine tend to fare best in these types of conditions.

Question 7 of 21

Most forest fires are classified as low- to medium-intensity, which means that the crowns of the trees are spared. Which trees tend to thrive immediately after these types of fires?

... Low- to medium-intensity fires spare the tree crowns and leave the forest canopy largely intact. Trees that thrive in shady conditions, such as firs and cedars, tend to grow best after these types of fires.

Question 8 of 21

After a forest fire, what is the best technique for helping the forest regenerate as quickly as possible?

... Forests that are replanted and subject to weed control after a fire take 60 to 80 years for trees to grow to 100 feet (about 30 meters) in height. When the forest is left alone to recover, it takes about 100 years for trees to grow to the same height.

Question 9 of 21

Fact or fiction: Low-intensity fires are actually the most harmful to the soil quality in a forest.

... Fiction: Low-intensity fires leave soil better off after a fire because they burn small shrubs and fallen branches, depositing their nutrients into the soil. After a high-intensity fire, soil quality diminishes for up to five years.

Question 10 of 21

What is the primary factor that scientists use to classify the intensity of a fire?

... Scientists rely on crown scorch percentage to classify the intensity of a fire. Most trees with crowns that are badly scorched during a fire will die within a few years.

Question 11 of 21

What area of the United States is most vulnerable to forest fires?

... Extreme heat, frequent drought and intense thunderstorms leave the western portion of the U.S. at risk for wildfires.

Question 12 of 21

Which continent experiences the largest number of total fires each year?

... Satellite data collected by NASA shows that more than 70 percent of the world's outdoor fires occur in Africa. These fires are largely caused by lightning strikes and agricultural burning.

Question 13 of 21

What is the most significant long-term issue for a forest ecosystem after a fire?

... The erosion that occurs after a forest fire strips nutrients from the soil and makes the earth too unstable to support new growth,

Question 14 of 21

Fact or fiction: Low-intensity forest fires can help reduce the risk of major fires in the future.

... Fact: Low-intensity fires that don't reach the tree canopy actually help to thin out the wood and debris that fuel a fire. This helps to reduce the risk of more significant fires in the future.

Question 15 of 21

What percent of the outdoor fires visible to satellites take place in North America?

... Despite frequent press coverage, just 2 percent of all the world's fires take place in North America.

Question 16 of 21

In areas subject to forest fires, how often do low-intensity fires occur naturally, without human intervention?

... Low-intensity fires take place every two to 30 years naturally, depending on location. More intense fires generally occur every 50 to 200 years, and have done so since well before humans had the technology to make fire.

Question 17 of 21

Fact or fiction: Some forest fires are set intentionally by firefighters and scientists.

... Fact: Prescribed burning is a planned, controlled forest fire that helps to eliminate fuel and prevent more dangerous fires in the future.

Question 18 of 21

In 1988, 793,000 of this park's more than 2.2 million acres burned during an historic forest fire.

... More than a third of Yellowstone burned during a 1988 forest fire. Thanks to extreme weather within the park, Yellowstone will likely take decades to fully recover.

Question 19 of 21

Which areas of the forest recover the fastest after a fire?

... Riparian land, or land located along a body of water, recovers more rapidly than other areas of the forest thanks to the proximity to water.

Question 20 of 21

What is the biggest threat to wildlife after a forest fire?

... Forest fires claim few animal victims during the initial blaze, as most animals spot the danger and run away. Loss of food and shelter poses a much bigger threat to wildlife.

Question 21 of 21

What type of reaction to a forest fire shows a correlation to higher risk of future forest fires?

... A study by Oregon State Univesity indicates that forests left alone to recover after a fire may be less likely to experience future fires.

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