Alberta wildfire, Australia 2016

Question 1

Causes and contributing factors

Answer 1

Started in remote area, initially under control but wind made blow into settlement
Erratic fire locations due to spotting (embers carried on wind)

Question 2

Environmental impacts

Answer 2

Dry soils could reignite anytime
Fire released million tonnes of carbon dioxide
Toxins released reach as far as USA
Huge quantities of waste had to be disposed of

Question 3

Social impacts

Answer 3

90,000 flee
2400 homes and buildings burnt down
Power supplies disrupted
Water supply contaminated

Question 4

Economic

Answer 4

Around 9 billion dollars of damage in Fort McMurray
Transport effected
Oil sand workers had to be evacuated, units destroyed by fire

Question 5

Political

Answer 5

Fuelled debate about impacts of climate charge
Gov officials had to oversee evacuation programmes and work with emergency services
Reconstruction programmes for buildings

Question 6

Responses to wildfire

Answer 6

Initial response- monitoring fire using ground and satellite data
Mass evacuation implemented
Provided money per person
Nearby town helped people find accommodation and offered discounted rates to evacuees