Fire in Nature Flashcards
What’s the 2 year project called that’s been launched in Europe?
IGNIS (2016)
What’s IGNIS aiming to do?
Improve the fire and rescue response by bringing together knowledge and expertise
Example of a group involved in IGNIS
Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service
Wildfire
Any rural fire that’s uncontrolled and spreading
3 Aspects of the Fire Triangle
Oxygen
Heat
Fuel
Natural Causes of Wildfire
Lightning
Lava
Humans Causes of Wildfire
Falling power lines Campfires Fireworks Arson Agricultural burning (controlled fires)
El Nino Effect
Climate cycle in the Pacific Ocean where warm water in the Western Pacific Ocean moves eastwards along the equator to South America
Why does the El Nino Effect cause more intense burning?
As it’s drier and hotter
Why does drought favour more intense wildfires?
Low levels of retained water in plants- burns more quickly
Ladder Fuel
Live or dead vegetation allowing a fire to climb from the forest floor to the tree canopy, meaning the fire is more influenced by winds
Preparedness: 2 Countries Techniques on Educating
America- Smokey Bear
Australia- TV Adverts
Preparedness: What are computer simulations used to do?
Model the fires track
Preparedness: 2 Ways of Spotting Wildfires
Aircraft survey large areas
Satellites provide low resolution images
What do Australia have on weather forecasts?
Fire Danger Ratings
Prevention: 2 ways to prevent a wildfire
Manage vegetation
Manage built environment
Prevention: How does managing vegetation work?
Controlled burning creates fire breaks, stopping a fire during a disaster
Prevention: 3 ways to manage the built environment
Increase gaps between homes
Install fire beaters in areas where barbecues and campfires are common so fire doesn’t rapidly spread
Use more fire resistant burning methods
Why’s it important to replant trees after a wildfire?
To avoid flash floods and mudslides on unprotected slopes
3 Aspects to Conditions needed for Wildfires
Vegetation Type
Climate / Weather
Fire Behaviour
Vegetation Type Key Points
Dense- fire can easily spread
How dry it is
Eucalyptus- highly volatile, burns easily
Climate / Weather Key Points
Rainfall needs to be sufficient for vegetation growth
Dry seasons, vegetation dries and becomes more flammable
Strong winds = more oxygen so fire can spread more quickly
El Nino
Fire Behaviour Key Points
Topography- moves faster uphill
Burning debris causes the fire to spread more quickly
Difference between Ground fire, Surface fire, and Crown fire
Ground- slow, smouldering, no flame, little smoke
Surface- leaf litter, low lying vegetation burns, can be low or high intensity
Crown- moves rapidly through canopy, most intense and fastest moving
