Q:
How Do Forest Fires Affect the Environment?
A:
Quick Answer
According to the U.S. Forest Service, forest fires have a damaging effect on the environment, but they also cause a resurgence of nutrients in the areas they burn. Although fire can tear down acres and acres of trees, it can also enrich the soil to let new vegetation grow.
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U.S. Department of Agriculture, US Forest Service photo/Kari Greer
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Full Answer
Fire can be extremely dangerous, causing damage to property and causing humans and wild animals to lose their lives and homes. However, forest fires are a natural part of the life and death cycle of the natural world, and naturally occurring burns are a healthy part of a forest system's ability to sustain new life. But this doesn't mean that all forest fires are good; if fires aren't controlled, they can become extremely dangerous.
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