Hazards 5.4 - Nature of Wildfires Flashcards
(28 cards)
What is a wildfire?
A natural process where a fire is uncontrollable in a rural area
Outline the 30, 30, 30 rule
Wildfires need:
>30 °C
<30% humidity
>30 mph wind speed
Outline the 3 main factors that cause wildfires
Fuel - wood, leaves
Ignition - people/lightning
Weather - hot, dry, windy
What are the 2 types of wildfires? Outline them
Surface fires - sweep ground, plant litter, trees - >1000*C
Crown fires - spread through tree canopies
What does the nature of a wildfire depend on?
Types of plants involved, wind strength, land topography, etc
Outline the 2 types of ignition sources wildfires require
Natural - lightning storms
Man-made - cigarettes, falling power lines, arson, etc
What areas are most susceptible to wildfires?
Dry vegetation + lightning strikes
What regions are more likely to be affected by wildfires? Provide examples
Regions with dry seasons/semi-arid climates
E.G:
Australia, USA & Canada, Southern Europe (France, Italy, Greece)
Outline how wildfires can benefit ecosystems
Mediterranean climate/ savannah climate use wildfires to aid new seed germination
How can plant species benefit from wildfires?
Pyrophytic species - fire resistant
E.G: Baobab tree’s resistant bark
Outline 3 primary environmental effects of wildfires
Destruction of habitats
Death/injury of animals
Atmospheric pollution
Outline 3 primary social effects of wildfires
Injury/death
Displacement
Damage to power/communication
Outline 3 primary economic effects of wildfires
Financial loss (damage costs)
Damage to businesses
Loss of crops/livestock
Outline 3 primary political effects of wildfires
Actions of emergency services
Responses (local/national)
Pressure on local authorities
Outline 3 secondary environmental effects of wildfires
Lack of trees/vegetation - increased flooding risk
Increased CO2 emissions
Reduced ecosystem development
Outline 2 secondary social effects of wildfires
Possible need for new employment
Behavioural adaptations to new rules
Outline 3 secondary economic effects of wildfires
Cost of rebuilding
Replacement of farm infrastructure
Cost of future preparedness
Outline 3 secondary political effects of wildfires
Develop strategies for preparedness & mitigation
Decisions about replanting forests
Review laws regarding use of countryside for leisure
Outline how managing the vegetation can mitigate wildfire hazards
Controlled burning to remove litter or making firebreaks in vegetation in advance
Outline how managing the built environment can mitigate the hazard of wildfires
Increase the gap between houses and vegetation
Use more fire resistant housing such as stone/brick
Find evacuation routes
Outline how modelling mitigates hazards of wildfires
Uses a computer to predict and comprehend wildfire behaviour
Outline how education can mitigate wildfire hazards
Make people aware of wildfires - home safety to avoid the risk
Outline an example of how warning systems can mitigate the risk of wildfires
Lookout towers or air patrols. Tourist areas can have notice boards to give warning
Outline how being well insured can mitigate the risk of wildfires
Wealthy countries - encouraged for residents to take out insurance - very expensive
