Fire and Ecosystems Wildland fire probably developed simultaneously with terrestrial vegetation and the evolution of the atmosphere, making it one of nature's oldest phenomena. Evidence of freeburning fire has been found in petrified wood and coal deposits formed as early as the Paleozoic Era, approximately 350 million years ago.
Fire is also a cultural phenomenon.
It probably was the first product of nature that humans learned to control. Early societies used fire to kill game for food, to clear land for agricultural activities, to create smoke as a communication device and to fight enemies. More recently, beginning with the Industrial Revolution, fire was harnessed in engines to power machinery. Initially, lightning ignited most wildfires. They became more widespread once humans began to use fire.