Birds called "firehawk raptors" are intentionally spreading fires in Australia

When you think of causes of fire in Australia, you might think of lightning or arsonists – but you probably don’t think of birds. But at least three birds of prey species spread wildfires in Australia, according to a new paper incorporating indigenous knowledge. Penn State University geographer and lead author Mark Bonta told National Geographic, “We’re not discovering anything. Most of the data that we’ve worked with is collaborative with Aboriginal peoples…They’ve known this for probably 40,000 years or more.”