Fire managers must constantly assess the threat of wildfire to wildlands, and the threat of wildfires to humans. They can plan better if they more fully understand both the desirable and undesirable effects of wildfires. Resource managers need to be prepared, through proper planning. Forest Fires as a Threat Fire by itself is seen as good or bad only as it relates to human values. A conflict arises when fire, fulfilling its natural role, interferes with people living, working and enjoying recreational activities in the forest.
Fire is very costly to a wide range of forest users.
It destroys thousands of hectares of valuable timber, threatens lives and communities, and causes significant disruption. A worldclass force of trained men and women form the backbone of Ontario's emergency forest fire response services. This team protects people and property from wildfires. They also help renew the forest by conducting prescribed burns. While lightning starts about 40 per cent of the wildfires in Ontario, it is most likely that the fire which threatens someone's cottage was caused by people.