According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, an average of about 7,500 wildfires burn an average of approximately 1.5 million acres on National Forests and Grasslands. Over the last ten years, just over half (54%) of these wildfires have been caused by humans while the rest (46%) have been ignited by lightning. These wildfires also destroy thousands of home and create a significant rise in unhealthly levels of smoke.
With the U.S. currently in the middle of wildfire season, especially in our western states, the timely article from The Washington Post provides some key facts on the spread of these fires and how to protect yourself.
