National research is showing people start wildfires 84 percent more often than Mother Nature.
Right now, federal and state fire management in the Southwest are planning for the 2017 wildfire season.
Mary Zabinksi with the Southwest Coordination Center says that in our region, the percentage of wildfires sparked by man versus lightning strikes is different than the national average.
“Over the past 15 years, the ratio of human to lightning caused fires are about 50/50,” Zabinski said.
In the Southwest, she says humans are mainly responsible for the fires in the spring and fall, but lightning strikes take over as monsoon winds and dry air move through the region during summer months.
Of human-caused wildfires nationwide, the study found about 15 percent were caused by campfires, children playing with fire, and equipment sparks. Half of all forest fires in the U.S. were caused by either an arsonist or someone burning debris.
