What type of damage is typically seen in plants afflicted by fireblight?

Plants afflicted by fire blight exhibit wilting and sudden death of branches, which is characteristic of this bacterial disease caused by Erwinia amylovora. The infection commonly begins in the blossoms and spreads through the stems and branches, leading to a rapid decline in health. Infected branches may appear water-soaked initially and then turn brown, resembling a burn, hence the name "fire blight." This type of damage occurs because the bacterial pathogen disrupts the plant’s vascular system, resulting in the inability to transport water and nutrients adequately, which leads to the wilting and death of entire branches in a short period. This rapid decline is a distinctive sign that helps in identifying fire blight compared to other plant diseases or conditions, which often show more gradual or different symptoms.