Wildfires

Question 1

Define wildfire.

Answer 1

Uncontrolled fires that destroy forests that usually occur during hot, dry periods.

Question 2

What are the three types of wildfire?

Answer 2

-Ground fire
-Surface fire
-Crown fire

Question 3

What is ground fire?

Answer 3

Where the ground itself burns, peat and tree roots. Slow fire with no flame.

Question 4

What is surface fire?

Answer 4

Where leaf litter and low lying vegetation burn. Can be low or high intensity.

Question 5

What is crown fire?

Answer 5

Where fire moves rapidly through the tree canopy. Intense and fast moving.

Question 6

What are the 4 conditions that lead to intense wild fires?

Answer 6

-Vegetation type
-Fuel characteristics
-Weather
-Fire behaviour

Question 7

How does vegetation type affect wildfires?

Answer 7

Closely spaced trees= quick travel fire.
Pine trees contain lots of oil so burn easily.

Question 8

How does fuel characteristics affect the intensity of wildfires?

Answer 8

Fine dry material (long grass) burns easily.

Question 9

How does climate and weather affect wildfires?

Answer 9

Dry seasons where rainfall is low dry up vegetation making it more flammable.
Strong winds provide oxygen to help fire burn and spread.

Question 10

How does fire behaviour affect the intensity of wildfires?

Answer 10

Fire can throw out burning debris that help the fire spread and become more intense.

Question 11

What are the natural causes of wildfires?

Answer 11

-Lightning
-Volcanic eruptions

Question 12

What are the human causes of wildfire?

Answer 12

-campfires or dropping cigarettes
-Fireworks
-Arson

Question 13

What are the social impacts of wildfires?

Answer 13

-People may be killed or injured.
-Homes are destroyed leaving people homeless.
-Cause health problems by inhaling smoke.

Question 14

What are the political impacts of a wildfire?

Answer 14

Governments face criticism when wildfire is intense and have to change their forest management strategies.

Question 15

What are the economic effects of wildfires?

Answer 15

-Destroy businesses.
-Insurance increases.
-Cost of fighting fire is huge.
-Discourage tourism.

Question 16

What are the environmental impacts of wildfires?

Answer 16

-Habitats destroyed and ecosystems changed.
-Soil is smashed as fire removes organic matter.
-Air pollution and water sources contaminated.
+ Some ecosystems rely on wildfires to clear dead vegetation and to germinate.

Question 17

What are the short-term responses to wildfires?

Answer 17

-Trying to put the fire out.
-Evacuating people.
-Spraying water on houses.

Question 18

What are the long term responses to wildfires?

Answer 18

Prevention: Education about fire starting.
Preparedness: Emergency plans with supplies of food, water and shelter.
Adaptation: Fire breaks built and non-flammable building materials.

Question 19

What is the case study for wild fires?

Answer 19

Australia 2009

Question 20

Describe the background information of Australias 2009 wildfire.

Answer 20

Victoria: fires burned for 1 month.
Ten years of drought prior and temps of over 40 degrees with strong winds.

Question 21

How did lack of management affect the 2009 Australian wildfire?

Answer 21

No controlled burning of leaf litter meant there was large amount of dry oil-rich material to fuel.

Question 22

What were the social impacts of the Australian wildfires?

Answer 22

-173 killed.
-2000 houses destroyed.

Question 23

What were the economic impacts of the Australian wildfires?

Answer 23

-60 businesses destroyed.
Cost: AUS: $4 billion.

Question 24

What was the environmental impact of the Australian wildfires?

Answer 24

Millions of animals killed including rare species.

Question 25

Give an example of a rare species killed in the Australian wildfires?

Answer 25

Spotted tree frog.

Question 26

What were the responses to the Australian wildfires?

Answer 26

-Australian Bureau of Meteorology: predicted fire spread and evacuated people.
-20,000 firefighters and volunteers helped put out fires.
-AUS $400 million donated to help rebuild.
-New fire shelters and warning systems.