Human Activity Linked to Majority of U.S. Wildfires

Why it matters locally: While Pennsylvania experiences fewer large-scale wildfires than western states, human activity is also the primary cause of brush and forest fires within the state, impacting natural resources and requiring responses from local agencies like Allegheny County Emergency Services and the Philadelphia Fire Department.

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Human behavior accounts for more than three-quarters of all wildfires in the United States. These human-caused fires result from various factors, including accidents, negligence, and arson. The Spokane Complex Fires, for example, have burned over 10,000 acres and destroyed more than 900 structures in Washington State. Margaret Albaugh provided an image of these fires for NPR.