The earth is the only planet that burns, and the main reason that it burns is because of the very things that keep our planet cool—the plants. Forest fires are a major ecological issue in the 21st century. While there are advantages to wildfires such as clearing out the tangles of brush and undergrowth built up over the years, act as a source of fuel, and enable a generation of seedling to grow by thinning out the forests; these massive fires or mega fires as they now call it have become much greater and intense than what it had been. This rise in large and uncontrollable mega fires have become a fact of life. Humans are the only species that light and fight fires. Fire is a gift and how we use that gift decides what the future of the planet …show more content…
Even though they present a version of reality, they must also appeal to and engage the audience in order to get the message across the people. Using techniques like sound, sound effects, camera angles, language, style, movement, setting and lighting; documentaries provide a visually appealing way of delivering the message to the audience. While a scholarly article does provide the message with facts, figures and more reliable evidences, it only touches the minds of people unlike documentaries that can touch the hearts of people. Emotion truly has a much greater impact than logic. The documentary and article on forest fire also take the paths in two separate directions. The documentary Earth on Fire portrays the issue of rising forest fires as an immediate concern, using techniques and information targeted to an audience who are unaware of the issue; whereas the article by Emily S. Hope is targeted to a scholarly