Comment on “Extraterrestrial impacts and wildfires”

Characteristic features of a fire ignited during the Tunguska event, 30 June 1908, are described on the basis of literature published in Russia. The 200-km2 area of initial ignition is in agreement with theoretical models of thermal radiation from the fireball. However, the fire covered a larger area, about 500 km2. The development of fire depends on the weather, groundwater level, and forest structure, but these factors were not favorable for rapid fire propagation in the case of the Tunguska event.