Adapted from SuperScience Red, March, 1995, issue.

Photo: Joe Kafka/AP/Wide World

How can seedlings grow after a fire?

Fire swept through a forest and burned down trees. A few weeks later, seedlings — tiny plants — started to grow. How can they grow right after a fire? Follow the clues to find out.

Clues

1. Some trees keep sunlight from reaching the ground.

2. Fire leaves behind a lot of ashes. Ashes make the soil healthy.

3. Some seeds need heat to sprout.

Answer