Then a new life succession begins using nutrients produced by the fire from the remains on the forest floor. The fireweed is generally the first to grow from the charred land. Lightning accounts for about 85 percent of the 2.8 million hectares burned annually. People, including careless campers and smokers, cause the rest. The fires caused by people are more numerous, but burn a smaller area than those ignited by lightning.
Wind is the ally of the fire.
Wind blowing through the forest dries and makes it more flammable. Wind fans the fires already burning and carries sparks over vast areas. A Forest Fire Weather Index has been created which links weather and forest conditions to provide daily local ratings of forest fire risk. All provincial and territorial forest firefighting agencies have been united since 1982 in the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, located in Winnipeg. This agency arranges the transfer of fire-fighters, equipment and aircraft across provincial and even international boundaries.