case study - Alberta wildfire Flashcards

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1
Q

background information on wildfire

A
  • may 2016
  • Canada, particularly effects Fort McMurray
  • started rural but wind shift caused it to go off predicted path and towards city
  • created positive feedback mechanisms as created its own lightning
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2
Q

primary impacts of Alberta

A

Social
- 90,000 people evacuated, entire of Fort McMurray
- no deaths or injuries
- 2400 homes destroyed

Environmental
- 600,000 hectares land burnt

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3
Q

secondary impacts of Alberta

A

Social
- ash washed into water course, contaminated the water supples, for humans and wildlife
- power supplies disrupted
- people displaced

Economic
- $9b damage
- transport and jobs affected
- $1b loss in oil production

Environmental
- boreal forest ecosystem damaged
- ash washed into watercourse after heavy rail, contamination for wildlife
- 500 species lost habitat

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4
Q

short term responses

A
  • 90,000 evacuated, population of Fort McMurray
  • ground and satellite data used to monitor fire, allowed for warnings
  • planes used to evacuate 25,000 workers
  • aid given from Canadian armed forces
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5
Q

how did it create its own lightning?

A

smoke clouds rises
cools and condenses into clouds
thunderstorms can develop
causing rain and lightning

lightning is a natural cause of wildfires

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6
Q

long term responses

A
  • $50m Canadian dollars in aid from Canadian Red Cross
  • prime minister promised long term aid
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