Terminology and Cases Flashcards
What is a wildfire?
An uncontrolled vegetation fire
What is a wildfire known as in Australia?
Bushfire
What is a wildfire known as in the USA?
Wildfire, forest fire, wildland fire
What is a wildfire known as in Spain?
Forest fire (regardless of vegetation)
Where do uncontrolled vegetation fires most occur?
Natural in many vegetated areas between 70 degrees North and South
How much area is lost due to fires every year?
300-600 million hectares
What is the total UK area burned?
25 million hectares
How much carbon is emitted each year?
~3.5 gigatons which is equivalent to ~30% of global fossil fuel/industrial emissions
Mean annual area burned between 1998-2015
Over 2% of the global land area burns
Equivalent of 3% of vegetated land area (17% land barren)
What are the main causes of fire?
Lightning- primary cause of fires in remote areas
Dry lightning- when lightning occurs without significant rainfall
Arson/accidental
Management
How much area is burned by humans globally? (example)
> 1million km2 globally
African Savannahs, controlled fires to remove the dead grass and improve grazing for animals
How many wildfires occur each year in the UK?
30,000-70,000
What time of year to wildfires occur in the UK? Why?
Spring
Lots of dry vegetation on the forest floor and very little green vegetation
When is risk of fire less substantial?
Summer
Why is lightning a low risk fire starter in the UK?
Because lightning is associated with heavy rainfall in the UK
