Forest Fires
...en lit on purpose. Lightning is a cause of some forest fires but people cause around 90% of the world’s fires. Forest fires leave the skies full of dark smoke but one of the dangers is not so easy to see. The gases produced by the fires enter the atmosphere. Nitrogen oxide and hydrocarbon are two of the gases that mix with sunlight and together form ozone. The air downwind from a fire can be full of ozone and that is dangerous to your health. It is responsible for minor effects like irritating eyes and more major effects like permanently injuring lungs and causing asthma. Some more visible results of forest fires are the destruction of houses, whole communities and the order in the natural environment. Ecosystems can be challenged as to whether they can rebuild and survive. Forest fires also injure and kill many people. There are some benefits to certain kinds of fires. Fire is needed for some ecosystems to survive. Forests or grasslands need surface fires to get rid of undergrowth and litter on the floor. They also make nutrients in this litter available to the rest of the forest growth. Pinecones from some trees cannot germinate to reproduce without extreme high temperature. Also, harmful pathogens and too many insects are reduced by these fires. The forest is thinned out to make room for animals where only trees would have taken up too much space. The upper level of canopy in the forest can be opened up so sunlight can reach the smaller plants below and more types can grow so the plants become more diverse. These controlled fires are a benefit to the forest and lightning can c...