Includes bibliographical references (pages [195]-225) and index.

Wildfires have been part of the American landscape for thousands of years. Forests need fire--it's as necessary to their well-being as soil and sunlight. But some fires burn out of control, destroying everything and everyone in their path. In this book, you'll find out about how and why wildfires happen, how different groups . . . have managed forests and fire, the biggest wildfires in American history--how they began and . . . stories of both rescue and tragedy . . . teaches us about the past--and shows a better way forward in the future.