A wild fire, bush fire or forest fire is an uncontrolled fire in a wild habitat.
When a heat wave or drought dries out the plants in an area, a fire can start and spread quickly. Fires can be accidental or they can be caused by arson or even lightning strikes.
Because fires can be very destructive, fire-fighters have developed lots of strategies for extinguishing or controlling wild fire. However, fire can also play an important role in the life cycle of plants and habitats.