Source ? Because I can't find any literature that says that sunlight heat alone is sufficient to start a fire in UK
https://www.nps.gov/articles/wildfire-causes-and-evaluations.htm
Even the national park service in the states only mention lava and lightning for natural causes of fire, I'm genuinely curious how the sunlight can be hot enough to ignite dry brush without any form of focusing the energy in a specific area (the old sunlight through glass trick to burn ants)
All the documentation suggests that humans are responsible for 95% of fires, the other 5% the majority is started by lightning so no disrespect but I think your "quite regularly" comment in regards to random combustion is ill informed
I also see you're in Canada, which isn't the UK I'm asking when do English moors randomly combust not other nations moors as the environment/climate is completely different
Ahh, the age old “but you’re in a different location” argument. Except, I may be now, but only recently... Let’s discuss the point rather than try and score cheap shots shall we?
Anyway, I’d question if it’s possible anywhere for just sun to start a fire, without any concentration of rays or other interaction. Either way it’s largely irrelevant* to the point being made.
Fires are a regular part of moorland habitat, and fauna and flora have generally adapted to it. It may look a mess for a year or so but it’s likely to grow back stronger, provide a greater biodiversity of plant life, and provide more food for local wildlife in the long run.
Yes, the majority of fires are caused by humans, but to counter that the majority of natural fires (in the UK) are put out way before they would naturally go out. Worldwide this has caused issues for both biodiversity and fire intensity, which is why in many locations (including occasionally the UK) landscape is intentionally burned to reduce fire risk and help biodiversity.
I’m not quite sure how such an uncontentious comment has ended up in such a discussion TBH.
*I’ll concede that point, if we’re going down the literal “only sunlight, without any kind of focusing” claim, rather than just natural causes.
Edit: and to clarify another point, I’m not a fan of the burning grouse and livestock farmers do to clear land for their own gains. The occasional fire is not an issue and can be beneficial, consistent reburning of the same area is not. Let’s remember that most moorland in the UK is not natural anyway, it should be woodland but instead is an industrial/agricultural wasteland with very low biodiversity in the first place.
