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2.6 Hazards > 4.1 Wildfires > Flashcards

4.1 Wildfires Flashcards

1
Q

What are the 2 main types of fire

A

Surface fire - sweep ground
Crown fire - sweep higher up

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2
Q

Which factors influence the nature/magnitude of a fire

A

Type of plants
Humidity
Strength/direction of wind
Tapography

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3
Q

What are the natural ignition sources for a fire

A

Lightning

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4
Q

What are the human ignitions sources for a fire

A

Falling power lines
Cigarette and matches
Camp fires
Arsonists

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5
Q

What are the main 2 things needed for a fire to spread

A

IGNITION SOURCE and FUEL

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6
Q

What is a source of fuel for a fire

A

Dry, leaf litter

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7
Q

What factors effect the frequency of wildfire

A

Climate change (increase storms and lightning, drought causes dry litter, can effect type of vegetation grown)

Tourist access to areas

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8
Q

What is the usual distribution of wildfires and how is it changing

A

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

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9
Q

Give an example of an area where wildfires are a continuous problem

A

The LA Basin

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10
Q

Why do wildfires occur so much at the LA Basin

A

Covered in Tinder dry chaparral
Dry “SANTA ANA” wind

Low density buildings with vegetation between properties

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11
Q

What are some primary and secondary environmental impacts for wildfires

A

Animal, Habitat and Food chain death
Water and Air pollution

Climate change
Increased flood risk

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12
Q

What are some primary and secondary social impacts for wildfires

A

Death and Displacement

Peoples behaviour and perception may change

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13
Q

What are some primary and secondary economic impacts for wildfires

A

Financial loss of assets
Financial loss of farming and business

Costs of rebuilding and future mitigation

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14
Q

Which 2 ways can we deal with a wildfire

A

Being prepared
Dealing with it as it happens

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15
Q

What are some mitigation strategies for a wildfire

A

Managing vegetation and built environment (land use planning)

Education and Community action

Insurance and Warning systems

Modelling fire paths to help create aid routes

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16
Q

What are some ways we can manage vegatation and the built environment

A

Get rid of leaf litter (fire breaks)

Increase gap between house and vegetation

Fire resistant material houses

17
Q

Give an example of how community action plan

A

“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

18
Q

What are some ‘deal with it as it happens’ approaches to wildfire

A
  1. Spray water and chemicals (ground and air)
  2. Back burn veegtation
19
Q

What are some ways we can adress the effects after a wildfire

A

Replant trees (oxygen, water quality, flooding, tourism)

Be prepared for the future

20
Q

Give an example of a case study for this topic

A

The Alberta Wildfire, Canada, May 2016

21
Q

What was the ignition source and fuel for the Alberta Wildfire

A

Ignition source is unknown

Fuel - tinder dry vegetation caused by warm temperatures and a lack of snowfall

22
Q

Why was the Alberta wildfire so destructive

A

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

23
Q

What were the environmental impacts of the Alberta wildfire

A

Several million tonnes of CO2
Water pollution (ash in water)
Debris and Boreal ecosystem destroyed

24
Q

What were the social impacts of the Alberta wildfire

A

24,000 buildings burnt
Increased anxiety

25
Q

What were the economic impacts of the Alberta wildfire

A

$9 billion in damages
600 work camp units destroyed such as shell oil

26
Q

What were the political impacts of the Alberta wildfire

A

Debate about climate change
Government went over evacuation plans
Reconstruction began

27
Q

What were the primary responses of the Alberta Wildfire,

A

Monitored fire using satellite and geo data to predict its path

90,000 evacuated
$1250 per adult

Online registry to help refugees find homes

28
Q

What were the secondary responses of the Albert Wildfire

A

One month later, residents were gradually allowed back to start rebuilding

June 2016 “Fire aid” charity concert

Promised long term aid

29
Q

Why did people praise how the Alberta wildfire was handles

A

There were no deaths and they were well advanced ahead of time

2.6 Hazards (11 decks)

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