How can accidental forest fires occur so frequently when lighting a small fire of dead, dried wood can be so difficult?

Question

How can accidental forest fires occur so frequently when lighting a small fire of dead, dried wood can be so difficult?

In: Other

Answer 1

If lighting a fire of dried, dead wood is difficult, you’re doing something wrong.

But forest fires don’t start by lighting wood. The start by lighting dead grass, or dry leaf litter, or dead pine needles. This acts as tinder, which then catches the wood. These substances can be caught alight by as little as a stray spark from a controlled campfire, or a not quite extinguished cigarette.