Wildfires

Question 1

What are the two key factors for a wildfire ?

Answer 1

Climate and nature of the plants.

Question 2

What is the nature of wildfires ?

Answer 2

Wind strength and direction - wind moves flaming front forwards

Humidity below 7% makes wildfires more likely

Topography - wildfires travel faster uphill

Question 3

What are the 2 things needed for a wildfire to occur and spread ?

Answer 3

An ignition source and fuel.

Question 4

What are natural causes of wildfires ?

Answer 4

Spontaneous heating, lightning, volcanic eruptions

Question 5

What are the human causes of wildfires ?

Answer 5

Agricultural burning, discarded cigarettes, campfires and bbqs, climate change, arson

Question 6

What is the distribution of wildfires ?

Answer 6

Essentially a rural hazard, areas most susceptible are in mediterranean climates like parts of Australia (Victoria) and California, and Savanna climates like Northern Australia and tropical parts of Africa and South America.

Question 7

What can fires do to vegetation ?

Answer 7

It can clear vegetation and aid new seed germination, stimulate the growth of certain plants and rid an area of parasites.

Question 8

What plant species are able to withstand fire ?

Answer 8

Pyrophytic.

Question 9

What do retardants do to a fire ?

Answer 9

Retardants help slow the pace down and are sprayed on fires which are inaccessible or when human safety and structures are endangered.

Question 10

How can removing large breaks in vegetation help stop wildfires ?

Answer 10

It can prevent the fires jumping in certain directions.