Wildfires Flashcards
Define wildfire.
Uncontrolled fires that destroy forests that usually occur during hot, dry periods.
What are the three types of wildfire?
-Ground fire
-Surface fire
-Crown fire
What is ground fire?
Where the ground itself burns, peat and tree roots. Slow fire with no flame.
What is surface fire?
Where leaf litter and low lying vegetation burn. Can be low or high intensity.
What is crown fire?
Where fire moves rapidly through the tree canopy. Intense and fast moving.
What are the 4 conditions that lead to intense wild fires?
-Vegetation type
-Fuel characteristics
-Weather
-Fire behaviour
How does vegetation type affect wildfires?
Closely spaced trees= quick travel fire.
Pine trees contain lots of oil so burn easily.
How does fuel characteristics affect the intensity of wildfires?
Fine dry material (long grass) burns easily.
How does climate and weather affect wildfires?
Dry seasons where rainfall is low dry up vegetation making it more flammable.
Strong winds provide oxygen to help fire burn and spread.
How does fire behaviour affect the intensity of wildfires?
Fire can throw out burning debris that help the fire spread and become more intense.
What are the natural causes of wildfires?
-Lightning
-Volcanic eruptions
What are the human causes of wildfire?
-campfires or dropping cigarettes
-Fireworks
-Arson
What are the social impacts of wildfires?
-People may be killed or injured.
-Homes are destroyed leaving people homeless.
-Cause health problems by inhaling smoke.
What are the political impacts of a wildfire?
Governments face criticism when wildfire is intense and have to change their forest management strategies.
What are the economic effects of wildfires?
-Destroy businesses.
-Insurance increases.
-Cost of fighting fire is huge.
-Discourage tourism.
What are the environmental impacts of wildfires?
-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.
What are the short-term responses to wildfires?
-Trying to put the fire out.
-Evacuating people.
-Spraying water on houses.
What are the long term responses to wildfires?
Prevention: Education about fire starting.
Preparedness: Emergency plans with supplies of food, water and shelter.
Adaptation: Fire breaks built and non-flammable building materials.
What is the case study for wild fires?
Australia 2009
Describe the background information of Australias 2009 wildfire.
Victoria: fires burned for 1 month.
Ten years of drought prior and temps of over 40 degrees with strong winds.
How did lack of management affect the 2009 Australian wildfire?
No controlled burning of leaf litter meant there was large amount of dry oil-rich material to fuel.
What were the social impacts of the Australian wildfires?
-173 killed.
-2000 houses destroyed.
What were the economic impacts of the Australian wildfires?
-60 businesses destroyed.
Cost: AUS: $4 billion.
What was the environmental impact of the Australian wildfires?
Millions of animals killed including rare species.
Give an example of a rare species killed in the Australian wildfires?
Spotted tree frog.
What were the responses to the Australian wildfires?
-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.
