The surrounding forest also provides a good source for new seeds. Forest animals will move into, and through the disturbed area. They take advantage of new food and habitat. At Mount St. Helens, the fringe area at the edge of the blast zone, is recovering in much the same way as a 100-acre fire would. However, in the late summer, the forest is often dry.
Lightning can start a fire that can quickly get too large to control.
The burned areas left by these large fires are an easy target for lightning because of all the dry, exposed wood. They often burn over and over again. The large fires tend to burn hot in some places, cooler in others, and not at all in some spots. They are used by animals as resting places on their travels through the disturbance area. Animals will also re-establish viable populations in these islands.