Fall is one season when North Carolina sees a peak in wildfires.
Ninety-nine percent of wildfires in North Carolina are caused by human activity, according to Philip Jackson of the North Carolina Forest Service. Weather can either suppress the fire or cause it to spread.
“You have a lot of leaves that will start changing colors, start falling off the trees," Jackson explained. "You'll have that fuel source through leaf litter. But those low humidity days will contribute to drying out those fuels."
Temperatures, humidity, wind, and precipitation can all impact wildfires.
Warmer temperatures and low humidity can cause vegetation to dry out. Gusty winds can quickly spread wildfires and make them difficult to contain. However, significant rainfall can reduce the risk of wildfires.