Human Activity Linked to Majority of U.S. Wildfires

Why it matters locally: With Arizona's susceptibility to wildfires, this report underscores the critical need for public awareness and prevention efforts by agencies like the Phoenix Fire Department and Rural Metro Fire Station 833 to mitigate human-caused blazes.

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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.