Wikipedia:Today's second feature/August 7, 2005

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Today's featured picture[edit]

Wildfire in the Bitterroot National Forest in Montana
Wildfire in the Bitterroot National Forest in Montana

A wildfire, also known as a forest fire, is an uncontrolled fire in wildland, often caused by lightning, human carelessness or arson.

Today, it is accepted that wildfires are a natural part of the ecosystem of wildlands, where, at the least, plants have evolved to survive fires, or even encourage them as a way to eliminate competition from less fire-tolerant species.

Photo credit: John McColgan, US Forest Service