Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A forest fire is an uncontrolled fire occurring in nature, especially one consuming grassland or forest.
Related terms
Combustion: This is a chemical process where substances combine with oxygen to produce heat and light; this process fuels forest fires just like it does our popcorn scenario!
Firebreaks: These are gaps in vegetation or other combustible material used to slow down or stop the progress of a wildfire or forest fire. It's like removing all the un-popped kernels from your popcorn pot to prevent more popping.
Controlled Burns: These are fires intentionally set by land managers to reduce fuel loads and decrease the likelihood of serious larger fires. It's like carefully popping a few kernels at a time to avoid an out-of-control popcorn situation.