4.1 Wildfires Flashcards
What are the 2 main types of fire
Surface fire - sweep ground
Crown fire - sweep higher up
Which factors influence the nature/magnitude of a fire
Type of plants
Humidity
Strength/direction of wind
Tapography
What are the natural ignition sources for a fire
Lightning
What are the human ignitions sources for a fire
Falling power lines
Cigarette and matches
Camp fires
Arsonists
What are the main 2 things needed for a fire to spread
IGNITION SOURCE and FUEL
What is a source of fuel for a fire
Dry, leaf litter
What factors effect the frequency of wildfire
Climate change (increase storms and lightning, drought causes dry litter, can effect type of vegetation grown)
Tourist access to areas
What is the usual distribution of wildfires and how is it changing
Usually a rural hazard, but are happening closer to human settlements Like CALIFORNIA and AUSTRALIA
Fire never used to be an issue in tropical rainforests, but due to slashing and burning the issue is increasing
Give an example of an area where wildfires are a continuous problem
The LA Basin
Why do wildfires occur so much at the LA Basin
Covered in Tinder dry chaparral
Dry “SANTA ANA” wind
Low density buildings with vegetation between properties
What are some primary and secondary environmental impacts for wildfires
Animal, Habitat and Food chain death
Water and Air pollution
Climate change
Increased flood risk
What are some primary and secondary social impacts for wildfires
Death and Displacement
Peoples behaviour and perception may change
What are some primary and secondary economic impacts for wildfires
Financial loss of assets
Financial loss of farming and business
Costs of rebuilding and future mitigation
Which 2 ways can we deal with a wildfire
Being prepared
Dealing with it as it happens
What are some mitigation strategies for a wildfire
Managing vegetation and built environment (land use planning)
Education and Community action
Insurance and Warning systems
Modelling fire paths to help create aid routes
What are some ways we can manage vegatation and the built environment
Get rid of leaf litter (fire breaks)
Increase gap between house and vegetation
Fire resistant material houses
Give an example of how community action plan
“community fireguard in Victoria, Australia.
1983, a fire killed 47 people and did $200 million in damages
They identified vulnerable areas, installed warning systems, made emergency plans and managed vegetation
What are some ‘deal with it as it happens’ approaches to wildfire
- Spray water and chemicals (ground and air)
- Back burn veegtation
What are some ways we can adress the effects after a wildfire
Replant trees (oxygen, water quality, flooding, tourism)
Be prepared for the future
Give an example of a case study for this topic
The Alberta Wildfire, Canada, May 2016
What was the ignition source and fuel for the Alberta Wildfire
Ignition source is unknown
Fuel - tinder dry vegetation caused by warm temperatures and a lack of snowfall
Why was the Alberta wildfire so destructive
It’s movement and FIRE SPOTTING (wind carries burnt embers)
It was initially under control, until a shift in wind direction moved it towards Fort McMurray
Spotting jumped a 1km river and was so intense the storm created its own weather patterns
What were the environmental impacts of the Alberta wildfire
Several million tonnes of CO2
Water pollution (ash in water)
Debris and Boreal ecosystem destroyed
What were the social impacts of the Alberta wildfire
24,000 buildings burnt
Increased anxiety
What were the economic impacts of the Alberta wildfire
$9 billion in damages
600 work camp units destroyed such as shell oil
What were the political impacts of the Alberta wildfire
Debate about climate change
Government went over evacuation plans
Reconstruction began
What were the primary responses of the Alberta Wildfire,
Monitored fire using satellite and geo data to predict its path
90,000 evacuated
$1250 per adult
Online registry to help refugees find homes
What were the secondary responses of the Albert Wildfire
One month later, residents were gradually allowed back to start rebuilding
June 2016 “Fire aid” charity concert
Promised long term aid
Why did people praise how the Alberta wildfire was handles
There were no deaths and they were well advanced ahead of time
