Water Resources Division, U.S. Geological Survey 2006 <p>Wildfires are a growing natural hazard in most regions of the United States, posing a threat to life and property, particularly where native ecosystems meet developed areas.</p><p>However, because fire is a natural (and often beneficial) process, fire suppression can lead to more severe fires due to the buildup of vegetation, which creates more fuel.</p><p>In addition, the secondary effects of wildfires, including erosion, landslides, introduction of invasive species, and changes in water quality, are often more disastrous than the fire itself.</p> application/pdf 10.3133/fs20063015 en U.S. Geological Survey Wildfire hazards—A national threat reports