Wildfires

Question 1

What is a quasi-natural hazard?

Answer 1

a hazard which can be occur as a result of human factors as well as physical factors

Question 2

What are crown fires?

Answer 2

fires that spread through the upper layers such as the canopy of trees

Question 3

What are surface fires?

Answer 3

fires that spread across the litter/lower layer, can be over 1000C

Question 4

What are wildfires?

Answer 4

large, uncontrolled fires that quickly spread through vegetation

Question 5

How might the vegetation present make a wildfire more likely?

Answer 5

dry, fine vegetation will burn easier
closely packed vegetation will allow fires to spread more.

Question 6

What climates allow wildfires to form?

Answer 6

climates where there is sufficient rain for vegetation to grow, but enough dry spells to dry out the fuel (Mediterranean, Savannah)

Question 7

How does wind impact wildfires?

Answer 7

strong winds will result in fires spreading more quickly

Question 8

what is the most common natural ignition source for wildfires?

Answer 8

lightning

Question 9

What are 3 examples of human ignition sources?

Answer 9

• pylons falling (links to EQs)
• inappropriate disposal of cigarettes
• campfires and disposable BBQs
• slash/burn becoming out of control
  all of these can be made worse by increasing interaction with rural areas through tourism and urban sprawl

Question 10

What are the 2 things needed for wildfires to form?

Answer 10

• ignition source
• fuel (vegetation)

Question 11

What are the primary environmental impacts of wildfires?

Answer 11

• water pollution
• air pollution
• toxic gases
• habitats destroyed

Question 12

What are 2 examples of fire-resistant vegetation?

Answer 12

• Baobab tree (thick bark, water storage)
• Banksia

Question 13

What are the primary economic impacts of wildfires?

Answer 13

• businesses destroyed
• agricultural land destroyed
• cost of fighting fires

Question 14

What are the primary social impacts of wildfires?

Answer 14

• people can be killed
• homes destroyed
• evacuations (missing persons)

Question 15

What is a primary political impact of wildfires?

Answer 15

• govt. buildings can be destroyed

Question 16

What is a positive environmental impact of wildfires?

Answer 16

• clear over-crowded vegetation
• can stimulate seed germination
• carbon fertilisation

Question 17

What are the negative, secondary environmental impacts of wildfires?

Answer 17

• CO2 released can contribute to the enhanced greenhouse efffect
• impacts migration patterns of animals

Question 18

What are 2 secondary economic impacts of wildfires?

Answer 18

• rebuilding and insurance is expensive
• income is lost
• fewer visits limits tourism sector

Question 19

What are 2 secondary social impacts of wildfires?

Answer 19

• homelessness
• food shortages caused by damaged agricultural land
• health problems from smoke inhalation

Question 20

What are 2 secondary political impacts of wildfires?

Answer 20

• borrowing money for aid
• pressure about global warming; due to increased frequency

Question 21

How could wildfires be prevented?

Answer 21

• large areas of vegetation cleared
• education; cigarettes, litter, BBQs etc

Question 22

How can people prepare for wildfires?

Answer 22

• education
• planned evacuation routes
• essentials stored away from home
• fire breaks
• have heat-resistant room for valuables

Question 23

Give an example of a programme trying to help people prepare for wildfires

Answer 23

Colorado State Fire Service, give advice on how to protect property

Question 24

What is the primary aim of mitigation?

Answer 24

to reduce the damage wildfires cause to property

Question 25

How might the impacts of a wildfire be different to those of other hazards?

Answer 25

typically fewer deaths and more environmental impacts, these are potentially more widespread

Question 26

What are 2 factors increasing the risk of wildfires in the LA basin?

Answer 26

• santa ana winds caused by topography
• lots of dry, shrub-like vegetation

Question 27

How might the vegetation present make a wildfire more likely?

Answer 27

dry, fine vegetation will burn easier. closely packed vegetation will allow fires to spread more.