Wildfire Facts Every Homeowner Should Know
Wildfires are no longer rare events—they’ve become a recurring reality for communities across the U.S. and around the world. As more people move into fire-prone regions and climate conditions continue to worsen, the risk to homes, families, and ecosystems increases dramatically.
Understanding how wildfires behave—and what causes them—is the first step in protecting your home and community. At MitigateNow, we help homeowners and contractors take proactive steps to reduce wildfire risks before disaster strikes.
Here are some key facts about wildfires to help you stay informed and prepared.
What Is a Wildfire?
A wildfire is an uncontrolled fire that burns in natural landscapes such as forests, grasslands, shrublands, or rural areas. Depending on the region, wildfires may also be called:
- Wildland fires
- Forest fires
- Bushfires (Australia)
- Grass fires
- Peat fires
- Vegetation fires
Regardless of the name, they share the same potential for rapid spread and devastating impact.
What Causes Wildfires?
Nearly 80% of wildfires are started by human activity, whether by accident or negligence. Common causes include:
- Unattended campfires
- Discarded cigarettes
- Sparks from power lines or engines
- Fireworks or outdoor burning
- Arson
Natural causes—like lightning strikes or volcanic eruptions—also ignite wildfires, but far less frequently.
Environmental factors such as drought, extreme heat, dry vegetation, and high winds contribute to how quickly a wildfire can grow and spread. And while fire is a natural and even beneficial part of many ecosystems, the suppression of smaller natural fires over time has led to a dangerous buildup of fuel—making modern wildfires more intense and harder to control.
That’s why land agencies now use prescribed burns to safely reduce vegetation and lower the risk of catastrophic wildfires.
What Are the Impacts of Wildfires?
The flames are just the beginning. Wildfires can trigger a chain reaction of destruction, long after the fire is out:
- Erosion and mudslides: Burned vegetation leaves soil unstable. When rains follow wildfires, the risk of catastrophic mudslides increases.
- Loss of biodiversity: Native plants, wildlife, and habitats are often destroyed.
- Water contamination: Ash, chemicals, and sediment runoff pollute local water supplies.
- Air quality: Wildfire smoke can travel for hundreds of miles, worsening respiratory health across regions.
A tragic example of this domino effect occurred in Montecito, California, following the 2017 Thomas Fire. After flames scorched over 280,000 acres, a powerful winter storm triggered deadly mudslides in the charred terrain—resulting in 23 deaths and widespread destruction.
How Do Wildfires Spread?
Wildfires move in different ways depending on conditions:
- Surface fires burn low vegetation like dry grass, leaf litter, or shrubs.
- Crown fires race through treetops and are often the most intense.
- Ladder fuels (like bushes, branches, or fences) allow flames to climb from the ground into trees, creating dangerous vertical spread.
- Embers carried by wind can ignite spot fires miles ahead of the fire front.
Homes in the wildland-urban interface (WUI)—where residential areas border natural wildlands—are especially vulnerable. Without proper defensible space, homes can catch fire from nearby vegetation, structures, or windblown embers.
How Homeowners Can Prepare
Wildfires are a natural part of our environment—but losing your home doesn’t have to be. MitigateNow helps homeowners take control by providing:
- Access to trusted wildfire mitigation contractors who understand your region’s risks
- A curated shop of home-hardening products, including:
- Fire and ember safe vents, ember safe retrofit vents, and ember safe mesh to block ember intrusion
- Gutter Guards to keep flammable debris out of rooflines
- Educational resources to help you make smart, timely decisions
- A contractor program that helps professionals expand their wildfire mitigation services
Take Action Before the Next Fire Season
Wildfire seasons are getting longer. The time to prepare is now—not when smoke is already in the air. MitigateNow is here to connect you with the right solutions, products, and people to help protect your home and your family from disaster. Connect with a Wildfire Contractor today to protect your property.