A hundred years ago, a wildfire burning in a forest was let to burn. The trees burned down, and fields and flowers were created in their place. It was a natural cycle; a kind of cleansing. But now, with more and more residential areas popping up in dense forests, and more fires being started by a careless cigarette or arsons, the need for forest fire fighters is needed. Out of control forest fires easily spread into modern residential, and commercial, developments.

This is where the forest fighters come in. They go to the scene of the fire, and prevent it from endangering settlements. They come in three categories, all similar, but each unique: hotshots, smoke jumpers, and the US Forestry Service workers. Click their respective link to learn more.

It has become increasing important in the past years to develop an accurate way of predicting where, and when fires are most likely. Even insurance companies have their own system to find out how likely your house is to be endangered by a forest fire.  Click above to learn more.