It is often quoted that pictures are better than a thousand words. In a subject like fire, this is certainly true. In summer, those of us who live in wildland fire zones in the Sierra foothills of California keep one ear listening for fire reconnaissance planes whenever we are outdoors. In our homes we keep the emergency scanners on.
Fire can be a friend or a foe.
Many plant species require fire as a part of their life cycle. Fire can be a good tool to keep the foothills, rangelands and forest healthy. But unplanned wildfires that occur at the hottest parts of the year are not beneficial. They can be deadly for the forests, and for the people who live, work and play there. Wildland fire can move so fast that you may have very little time to escape.