Wildfires

Question 1

What type of impacts do wildfires have

Answer 1

Social

Economic

Political

Environmental

Question 2

What are the social impacts of wildfires

Answer 2

Deaths and injuries

Homes destroyed

People have to move away

Power, water, communication lines destroyed

Question 3

What are economic impacts of wildfires

Answer 3

Destroys business - economic loss

Loss of jobs and income

Cost of rebuilding is huge

Insurance firms have to give out extreme sums of money

Question 4

What are political impacts of wildfires

Answer 4

Governments face criticism for preparedness

Responses may mean changing forest management practices

Question 5

What are the environmental impacts of wildfires

Answer 5

Habitat lose

Reduced biodiversity

Large release of stored carbon

Water contamination due to ash

Question 6

What are the conditions needed for a wildfire to occur

Answer 6

Vegetation - thick undergrowth or dense tree cover allows fire to travel quickly

Fuel - dryness helps the fire spread

Climate - hot whether drys out vegetation/strong winds spread fire

Fire behaviour - fires can jump across gaps in tree cover if intense enough

Question 7

What are the natural causes of wildfires

Answer 7

Lightning

Volcanos

Question 8

What are the human causes of wildfires

Answer 8

Most started by humans

Arson

BBQs

Fireworks

Water extraction from soil can also cause dryness

Question 9

What are short term responses to wildfires

Answer 9

Put the fire out

Divert the fire

Evacuate areas

Spray water on houses

Question 10

What are the long term responses to wildfires

Answer 10

Prevention - public education

Preparedness - emergency plans for local/ emergency supplies

Adaptation - non flame building materials