Q. With reference to forest fires, consider the following statements::
1.Almost 90% of wildfires occur due to natural causes like lightning.
2.Lack of soil moisture might cause forest fires.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: B
Notes:
Statement 1 is incorrect: Almost 90% of wildfires occur due to Anthropogenic causes. Smoking is the leading cause of forest fires globally.
Other anthropogenic reasons include Campfires, Burning Debris, Slash and Burn Cultivation, and others.
Statement 2 is correct: Lack of soil moisture and dryness in the soil triggers fire in forests. For example, the recent Uttarakhand wildfires are due to this.
Source: PIB
