The Effects of Human Activity on Fire

Fire is a captivating, entrancing, primal force — dangerous, yet beautiful, powerful, and calming. Staring into the flames is a meditative, hypnotic experience. Fire directly impacts land-based ecological systems and has played an important role throughout Earth history. It also provides us with warmth and energy, heat and light, food, and shelter. However, the effects of human activity on natural and managed fires are not always positive.

The burning of plant material is the process of combustion, and it takes place in three distinct phases: ignition, flame propagation, and smoldering. The energy from a flame ignites the fuel and oxygen in the air to produce gas molecules such as carbon dioxide and water vapor that rise to the atmosphere, while the molten material cools to form solid ash.

Humans have used fire for thousands of years, and many cultures have developed their societies around the use of fire. The interaction between humans and fire has been complex, affecting both our cultural and biological evolution.

For example, a fire can be used to cook, protect homes and crops from predators and insects, clear the land for reforestation, and for religious ceremonies. Some fires are unplanned and out of control, such as wildfires or forest landslides, while others are planned and performed under strict safety conditions. These are called controlled burns or prescribed burns and have been used for a variety of reasons by people from indigenous communities in North America to native peoples in Australia.

When a tree or grassland burns, it releases nutrients into the soil that are more easily available for new growth than would be released through decay over time. This is one reason why periodic fires are such a vital part of many ecosystems.

It’s important to remember that fire is FAST! It only takes seconds for a small fire to become life-threatening and minutes for a residence to be engulfed in flames. In addition, fire is HOT! Hot, black smoke will scorch clothing and melt plastic. Inhaling this super-hot, poisonous air can cause burns and suffocate you.

Keep your home and family safe by storing all matches, lighters, and open flames out of children’s reach and sight. Make sure to regularly clean out the chimney and remove any flammable materials from around the house. Remove limbs that hang over your roof and may pose a fire threat from the ground, and regularly clear brush or other combustible vegetation from your home and yard.

Be sure to practice your escape plan with the whole family so everyone knows what to do if a fire does occur. Keep in mind that smoke from a fire is as deadly as flames and can linger for minutes after the fire has subsided. Smoke toxins can collect in a room and cling to upholstered furniture or draperies. Smokers should use deep, non-tip ashtrays and soak butts in water before discarding them. Lastly, use crystal clear K-1 kerosene in kerosene heaters and only fill them up to the recommended level to avoid spilling or overfilling.