How Do Forest Fires Start?
(Get all your answers from an expert and find the coverage you need.)
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Written by
Ashley Surinak
Insurance doesn’t have to be boring. That’s why we hired Ashley Surinak to be our BA insurance writer. Ashley specializes in making mundane subjects hella-entertaining.
Updated
Q: How Do Forest Fires Start?
A: Forest fires always start one of two ways:
- Natural causes: These fires are most often caused by natural forces such as lightning, although they can start by spontaneous combustion if there are dry leaves around.
- Man-made causes: Human-caused fires are more difficult to narrow down in terms of causes. Many are caused by smoking and equipment malfunctions. However, there are any number of ways that a person could start a fire that erupts into a forest fire.
Not every fire in the forest will turn into a forest fire. There needs be a spark, but there also needs to be enough wind and combustible materials to help it grow into a larger fire. Generally, this means that when there are high winds and a lot of dry branches and leaves, there's a much higher chance of a forest fire.
If your home or business is near a forest and could be damaged or destroyed in a forest fire, discuss your insurance coverage options with a TrustedChoice.com independent agent to be sure you're covered.