Wildfires

Question 1

Define a wildfire

Answer 1

A large uncontrolled fire that quickly spreads through vegetation

Question 2

Conditions favouring wildfires

Answer 2

Vegetation type
Fuels
Climate and weather

Question 3

How does vegetation effect impact of wildfires

Answer 3

Thick, close together and flammable plants allow fire to be more intense and quick

Question 4

Ideal climate for wildfire formation

Answer 4

Climate with enough rainfall for plant growth but droughts to dry it out

Question 5

Natural causes of fires

Answer 5

Lightening
Extreme temperatures
Volcanoes
Drought

Question 6

Human causes of wildfires

Answer 6

Cigarettes
Campfires
Arson
Logging
Smashed glass

Question 7

3 types of wildfires

Answer 7

Ground fires
Surface fires
Crown fires

Question 8

What are ground fires

Answer 8

Fires that burn organic material in the soil
There’s smoke but no flames
Burn for the longest out of all
Up to 540°C

Question 9

What are surface fires

Answer 9

Fires that burn dry leafs,litter,twigs
Easiest to control out of all
Burn at 900°C

Question 10

What are Crown fires

Answer 10

Huge flames and most intense up to 1100°C
Worsened when exposed to steep slopes
Most difficult to control out of akk

Question 11

Which environment is most vulnerable

Answer 11

Savannah grasslands

Question 12

Which regions are most effected

Answer 12

Australia
South Europe

Question 13

What 3 components make up the fire triangle

Answer 13

Oxygen
Fuel (oils in vegetation)
Heat

Question 14

What percentage of wildfires are caused by human activity

Answer 14

90%

Question 15

What are the general environmental impacts of wilfires

Answer 15

P:-death of animals
-GHG emissions
-pollution from ash

S:-stimulating seed germination
-increased CO2

Question 16

What are the general social impacts of wildfires

Answer 16

P:-loss of life
-homes destroyed
-displacement/migration

S:-health problems
-food shortage

Question 17

What are general economic impacts of wildfires

Answer 17

P:Destruction of businesses
Cost of fighting the fires

S:Cost of rebuilding and insurance payout
Discouraging visitors

Question 18

Short term responses to wildfires

Answer 18

Evacuate area
Fight the fires
Backburning

Question 19

How can you prepare for a wildfire

Answer 19

Early detection
Early suppression
Warnings

Question 20

Mitigation techniques against wildfires

Answer 20

Detection of thermal changes
Back burning vegetation
Disaster aid

Question 21

How can wildfires be prevented

Answer 21

Education on the human causes and criminalisation

Question 22

Example of a wildfire

Answer 22

Australia 2009