Wildfires Flashcards
What are the 3 types of wildfire?
Ground fire
Surface fire
Crown fire
What is a ground fire?
When the ground itself burns such as peat and tree roots
Slow burn with no flame and little smoke
What is a surface fire?
When leaf litter or low lying vegetation burns
What is a crown fire?
When a fire rapidly moves through the canopy
What are the natural causes of wildfires?
Lightening
Volcanic eruptions
What are the human causes of wildfires
BBQs
Cigarettes
Fireworks
Arson
What is the best climatic characteristics for wildfires?
Rainfall for vegetation growth
Dry period
Strong winds to provide the fire with oxygen
What are the best fuel characteristics for wildfires?
Fine, dry material
Large amounts of continuous cover
What are the best vegetation characteristics for wildfires?
Thick undergrowth
Close trees
Some vegetation contains oil which allows it to burn quicker e.g. eucalyptus
What are the social impacts of wildfires?
Injury
Death
Homelessness
Health issues from smoke inhalation
Destruction of infrastructure
What are the economic impacts of wildfires?
Costs of fighting wildfires
Damages to businesses
Discouragement of tourists
What are the environmental impacts of wildfires?
Habitats destroyed, influencing the ecosystem
Damage to soils
Air pollution
Some ecosystems rely on wildfires to clear dead vegetation or for some plants to germinate
What are the political impacts of wildfires?
Governments may face criticism
Governments may have to change forest management practices
What are the short-term responses to wildfires?
Trying to put it out
Evacuation
Diverting the fire
What are the long-term responses to wildfires?
Prevention e.g. education and exclusion zones
Preparedness e.g. emergency plan, shelters
Adaptation e.g. firebreaks in trees, non flammable building materials
Why were the 2009 South-East Australia wildfires so big?
10 years of drought
Recent temperatures of 40°C
Strong winds
Large amounts of dry, oil rich matter to fuel the fire
Lack of management e.g. controlled burnings
What started the 2009 South-East Australia wildfires?
Faulty power line
What were the impacts of the 2009 South-East Australia wildfires?
400 injured
2,000 houses destroyed
60 businesses destroyed
4,300km² of land burned
Damage worth $4 billion
What were the short-term responses to the 2009 South-East Australia wildfires?
20,000 firefighters and volunteers helped to put out the fires and support victims
Prediction as to where the fire would go, allowing for evacuation
What were the long-term responses to the 2009 South-East Australia wild fires?
Building of shelters
Improved early warning systems
