Wildfires

Question 1

what is a wildfire?

Answer 1

an uncontrolled fire that occurs in natural areas such as forests and grasslands

Question 2

what is a crown fire?

Answer 2

a fire which spreads across the tree canapoy’s

Question 3

what is a ground fire?

Answer 3

a fire which burns beneath the ground surface burning peat layers and tree roots.

Question 4

what is a surface fire

Answer 4

a fire which burns through low lying vegetation (grass, bushes, small trees)-most common

Question 5

what conditions are needed for an intense fire?

Answer 5

1. fuel e.g. dry vegetation
2. ignition e.g. lighting
3. Hot and dry climate conditions
4. Strong winds

Question 6

what is the ladder effect?

Answer 6

the process of a fire spreading from the forest floor to the canopoy

Question 7

what is el nino?

Answer 7

a climatic phenomon which occurs every 6-8 years where the pacific ocean is warmer

Question 8

how does el nino effect fires?

Answer 8

by impacting rainfall in certain areas, like leaving them in droughts, this provides more potential fuel for a fire

Question 9

what are 3 human causes of wildfires?

Answer 9

1. campfires
2. barbecues
3. falling power lines

Question 10

what are 3 physical factors which cause wildfires?

Answer 10

1. lighting strikes
2. lava
3. Heat from the sun

Question 11

name sources of fuel?

Answer 11

1. eucalyptus’s
2. dry vegetation
3. flashy fuels

Question 12

what does eucalyptus allow for fires to do?

Answer 12

spread up the trees

Question 12

what is deliberate burning?

Answer 12

where controlled fires are set purposefully to use up fuel before the wildfire reaches

Question 13

what are 2 cons of deliberate burning?

Answer 13

1. risk of expanding the fire
2. time consuming

Question 14

what is flashy fuels?

Answer 14

small materials which burn faster then larger ones

Question 14

What are the social impacts of a wildfire?

Answer 14

1. Deaths/injuries
2. Health issues (respiratory)
3. Homelessness
4. Mental health issues

Question 15

What are the economic impacts of a wildfire?

Answer 15

1. Cost of repair/reconstruction
2. Cost of immediate responses
3. Loss of crops and wood which impacts trade
4. Slower economic growth and development

Question 16

What are the environmental impacts of a wildfire?

Answer 16

1. Loss of biodiversity
2. Destruction of habitats and ecosystems
3. Water contaminated by ash
4. Atmoshperic pollutions which contributes to climate change.

Question 17

What are some short term responses to wildfires?

Answer 17

1) Search and rescue
2) Evacuation
3) Firefighters work to extinguish the fire

Question 18

What are some long term responses to wildfires?

Answer 18

1) Improvements of monitoring systems
2) Public education campaigns
3) practise training and emergency services.

Question 19

What is aircraft and helicopter drops?

Answer 19

Where aircrafts flies directly over wildfires and releases fire retardants.

Question 20

Give me advantages and disadvantages to aircraft drops

Answer 20

Advantages:
1. Allows for visual advantage of wildfires
2. Helps reduce the intensity of the wildfire and slow the spread

Disadvantage:
1. Requires specialists pilots which makes it expensive
2. Can be dangerous if aircraft flies to close.

Question 21

What are other strategies used to mitigate/prevent wildfires?

Answer 21

1) Weather can be monitored for conditions that cause high risk wildfires
2) Rules of barbecues and campfires to prevent wildfires
3) Improve infrastructure to allow better access for emergency vehicles during wildfires

Question 22

What is combustion?

Answer 22

Where plants/vegetation heat up leading to the ignition of a fire which spreads fire across the landscape.