Natural Fire Causes
– Fires that occur as a result of lighting or any other Act of God are classified as natural. Per the NFPA between 2007 and 2011 there were an average of 22,600 fires started by lightning each year. In 2006 lightning caused the West Virginia coal mine explosion that resulted in 12 deaths and is the most deadly fire started by lightning in recent years. Each year, a significant number of wild land fires are started as a result of lightning strikes. On average, between 2008 and 2012 these fires burned 402 acres. That is nine times the average of those fires that were human-caused.
The NFPA defines Natural Fires as those caused without direct human intervention or action, such as fires resulting from lightning, earthquake, and wind. NFPA 921Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations. 5th ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 2004.
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