— A raging wildfire is a frightening thing. Living trees burn as fast as cardboard boxes in a bonfire. Flames race through the treetops, sometimes faster than a person can run, burning at temperatures hot enough to melt steel. A wildfire can be a major disaster, capable of destroying hundreds of homes and costing human lives. But not all... more » fires are bad.
In this fascinating book, award-winning author Seymour Simon explains the crucial role wildfires play in the cycle of life, death, and renewal in nature. Illustrated with stunning full-color photographs that capture the hypnotic beauty of wildfires, this book describes some of the most intense blazes of our time, including the infamous Yellowstone fire of 1988. Studies of these large-scale fires show that most animals are able to avoid an oncoming fire with little trouble and that plants recover quickly, growing back stronger than before in newly enriched soil. This exciting, thought-provoking book explores the delicate balance of nature that people are just beginning to understand.