Environmental Risks of Forest Fires In dry conifer forests , a certain occurrence of forest fires are essential to maintaining a balance in the composition of plant and animal life. However, in most cases forest fires can cause acute destruction of the forest's ecosystem. According to a survey conducted in 1990. about 1.8 per cent of the world's total forest area was facing deforestation due to fires, which amounts to about 90,000 square miles of forest being destroyed. Intense forest fires can even destroy the seeds in the soil, hampering the growth of new plants and trees. Furthermore, due to the destruction of their habitat wild animals face a shortage of food and forced to seek sustenance elsewhere. Methods of Controlling Forest Fires The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)The Nature Conservancy (TNC)and The Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) are taking measures to ensure that forest fires are brought under control more easily. The agencies are attempting to increase public awarenoce ahout hoinn cautious of licinn fire in the forest Enrast mananore are nrnvider with the nerocean entinment to control forect What conclusion can be drawn from reading "Fire Ecology: A Study of Forest Fires"? A. Forest fires should be allowed to run their course in spite of their damaging consequences. B. Forest fires are the primary means of the survival of microorganisms. C. Forest fires are typically a natural process rather than man-made. D. Forest fires are both a curse and a boon to the environment.

## Step 1<br />The first step in solving this problem is to understand the context of the passage. The passage discusses the dual nature of forest fires. On one hand, they can cause severe destruction to the ecosystem, leading to deforestation and endangering wildlife. On the other hand, they are also a natural process that can maintain the balance in the composition of plant and animal life.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />Next, we need to analyze each of the given options in light of the information provided in the passage.<br /><br />### Option A<br />This option suggests that forest fires should be allowed to run their course despite their damaging consequences. However, the passage clearly states that forest fires can cause severe destruction, which contradicts this option.<br /><br />### Option B<br />This option suggests that forest fires are the primary means of survival for microorganisms. However, the passage does not provide any information about microorganisms, making this option irrelevant.<br /><br />### Option C<br />This option suggests that forest fires are typically a natural process rather than man-made. While the passage does mention that forest fires are a natural process, it also discusses the role of human intervention in controlling them, which makes this option incomplete.<br /><br />### Option D<br />This option suggests that forest fires are both a curse and a boon to the environment. This option aligns perfectly with the information provided in the passage, which discusses both the positive and negative effects of forest fires.