Answer:
Controlling fire is important because not doing so can cause even more catastrophic damage than has already been done. Take California historically, for example. In the past, they've had millions of acres destroyed by wildfires, and that was while they were being contained. Imagine if they weren't, How much more *could* it have done?
Answer:
The most reasonable answer is 1
The Loyalists were the people who remained loyal to the British Crown rather than were in favour of independence.
The Loyalist were on the average older and partially also richer: they were better established and therefore a change would be a risk for them. This was their reason: they were afraid of change and of loosing their position.
Answer:
the meaning of merits is advantages