Trees are supposed to burn but in patches and not en masse due to previous fires in adjoining areas. This is especially true in the area you left. The natural

Trees are supposed to burn but in patches and not en masse due to previous fires in adjoining areas. This is especially true in the area you left. The natural state of the area should be a variety of forest in different levels of maturity which helps contain the fires that do occur in the most mature and overgrown areas. The less mature forest or previous burn scars act as natural fire breaks.