Millions of acres are consumed by fire each year. Of all nature's disasters, forest fires are often considered the most frightening. Moving at lightning speed, giant walls of flames can burn acres of land in just a few minutes. And although technology, including the use of fire-retardant chemicals, has greatly aided the fight against forest fires, they still take an enormous toll. In 2000, nearly 123,000 separate fires burned 8.5 million acres of forest.
Most large fires take place in the Western states.
Four of the largest ten fires in 2000 occurred in Idaho, while two were in Alaska. The others broke out in Wyoming, Montana, Washington, and Oregon. It is estimated that two-thirds of forest fires are started accidentally by people, almost one quarter are intentionally set, while lighting causes ten percent. Beneficial Fires Forest fires can have beneficial effects. Charcoal enriches soil, and some plant species flourish in the wake of conflagrations.