Answer:
26,863 fires
Explanation:
Since the number of fires is increasing at a rate of 6%, this problem can be modeled using an exponential growth model.

• The number of fires in 1986, No = 15,000
,
• The rate of increase, r = 6% = 0.06
,
• Time, t = 1996 - 1986 = 10 years
We want to find the value of N(t) when t=10.
Substitute the given values into the formula:

If the number of fires continues to increase at the same rate, the number of fires in 1996 will be approximately 26,863.