3.1.5.6 Fires in Nature

Question 1

Fatalism

Answer 1

The viewpoint that hazards are uncontrollable natural events, and any losses should be accepted as there is nothing that can be done to stop them.

Question 2

Prediction

Answer 2

Using scientific research and past events in order to know when a hazard will take place, so that warnings may be delivered and impacts of the hazard can be reduced.

In some cases, hazards may also be prevented when predicted early enough. (e.g. predicting wildfires from climatic red flags)

Question 3

Adaptation

Answer 3

Attempting to live with hazards by adjusting lifestyle choices so that vulnerability to the hazard is lessened. (e.g. earthquake proof houses.)

Question 4

Mitigation

Answer 4

Strategies carried out to lessen the severity of a hazard (e.g. sandbags to offset impact of flooding)

Question 5

Management

Answer 5

Coordinated strategies to reduce a hazard’s effects. This includes prediction, adaptation, mitigation.

Question 6

Risk sharing

Answer 6

A form of community preparedness, whereby the community shares the risk
posed by a natural hazard and invests collectively to mitigate the impacts of future hazards.

Question 7

Wildfire

Answer 7

A large, uncontrolled fire that quickly spreads through vegetation.

Question 8

Conditions that favour wildfires

Answer 8

• Vegetation type
• Fuel Characteristics
• Climate and Recent Weather
• Fire Behaviour

Question 9

Vegetation type effects on wildfires

Answer 9

Thick, close together vegetation allows fires to spread quickly and easily. Trees and thick bushes lead to more intense wildfires; grasslands do not burn as intensely. Vegetation with flammable oils - like eucalyptus - causes more intense fires also.

Question 10

Fuel Characteristics effects on wildfires

Answer 10

Vegetation should be dry to allow it to catch. Finer vegetation causes fires to spread quicker, but larger, thicker forms of vegetation burns for longer and more intensely.

Question 11

Climate and Recent Weather effects on wildfires

Answer 11

Must be in a climate that has enough rainfall to have sufficient plant growth , but considerable dry spells and droughts to dry out the fuel . Areas with dry seasons such as California allow for intense wildfires. Wind also causes fires to spread quicker. Recent temperature increases have caused an increase in the number of wildfires.

Question 12

Fire Behaviour

Answer 12

Fires spread quickly on hills as the heat rises. Fire can also ‘jump’ across rivers and into areas due to lit debris which causes it to spread.

Question 13

Causes of wild fires

Answer 13

Wildfires can be caused naturally or by humans. The majority of the time, wildfires are not naturally started. Humans may start fires accidentally or through arson.

• Natural causes include spontaneous combustion, volcanoes and lightning.
• Human causes can be lit cigarettes, BBQ’s, agriculture, train lines and more.

Question 14

Primary environmental impact

Answer 14

• Air pollution from ash
• Water pollution
• Habitats destroyed in fire
• Toxic gases released in burning

Question 15

Secondary environmental impact

Answer 15

• Removing invasive species and stimulating seed germination
• Migration patterns of animals affected
• Increased CO2 from fires could heighten the greenhouse effect

Question 16

Primary economic impact

Answer 16

• Businesses destroyed
• Agricultural land damaged
• Cost of fighting fires (firefighters, helicopters, water)

Question 17

Secondary economic impact

Answer 17

• High cost of rebuilding and insurance pay out
• Sources of income lost
• Discouraging visitors, losing tourism sector
• Planes cancelled

Question 18

Primary social impact

Answer 18

• People killed or injured in fires
• Homes destroyed
• People go missing during evacuations

Question 19

Secondary social impacts

Answer 19

• Homelessness
• Food shortages from destroyed agricultural land
• Health problems such as asthma from smoke inhalation

Question 20

Primary political impacts

Answer 20

• Government buildings destroyed

Question 21

Secondary political impacts

Answer 21

• Borrowing money for international aid

- Pressure for government to do more about global warming due to increased frequency

Question 22

Short term responses

Answer 22

• Evacuation
• Providing health care
• Providing emergency food and water supplies
• Providing emergency shelter

Question 23

Long term responses

Answer 23

• Prevention
• Preparedness
• Mitigation
• Adaption

Question 24

Prevention of wildfires

Answer 24

In the current climate, wildfires cannot be avoided overall.

However human caused fires can be prevented by education.

Controlled burnings and fire beaters can prevent large wildfires from starting.

Question 25

Preparedness for wildfires

Answer 25

Public awareness about why wildfires start.

Evacuation and training plans.

Satellite image tracking to manage the areas that are at risk.

Red flag warning systems so people know areas that will possibly be at risk.

Question 26

Mitigation of wildfires

Answer 26

Removing flammable material such as dead leaves.

Spraying water and fire retardant onto the area.

Building materials that will not release toxic chemicals into the atmosphere.