When Forests Burn

Book excerpt: A fascinating look at the most destructive wildfires in American history, the impact of climate change, and what we're doing right and wrong to manage forest fire, from a National Book Award finalist. Perfect for young fans of disaster stories and national history. Wildfires have been part of the American landscape for thousands of years. Forests need fire--it's as necessary to their well-being as soil and sunlight. But some fires burn out of control, destroying everything and everyone in their path. In this book, you'll find out about: how and why wildfires happen how different groups, from Native Americans to colonists, from conservationists to modern industrialists, have managed forests and fire the biggest wildfires in American history--how they began and dramatic stories of both rescue and tragedy what we're doing today to fight forest fires Chock full of dramatic stories, fascinating facts, and compelling photos, When Forests Burn teaches us about the past--and shows a better way forward in the future.