3.1.5.6 Fires in nature

Question 1

What does the nature of a wildfire depends upon

Answer 1

• the types of plants involved
• the strength of the wind

Question 2

What are the causes of a wildfire to occur and spread

Answer 2

• an ignition source
• fuel

Question 3

How can you mitigate and prepare against a wildfire

Answer 3

• manage the vegetation (controlled burning in advanced)
• managing the built environment (increasing the gaps between houses and using less wood)
• education and warning systems

Question 4

When was the Alberta wildfire

Answer 4

2016

Question 5

Environmental impacts of the Alberta wildfire

Answer 5

• dried peat
• several million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

Question 6

Social impacts of the Alberta wildfire

Answer 6

• 90,000 people evacuated Fort McMurray
• 2400 homes burnt down
• 0 deaths

Question 7

Economic impacts of the Alberta wildfire

Answer 7

• 25,000 oil workers evacuated (cost the industry CAN$1bn

Question 8

Political impacts of the Alberta wildfire

Answer 8

• fire has fuelled political debates about the impacts of climate change

Question 9

Responses to Alberta wildfire

Answer 9

• government declared a state of emergency
• provided CAN$1250 per adult evacuated
• June 2016 had fire aid at edmonton stadium which raised CAN$2mn (Nickelback)