Hazards - Wildfires

Question 1

1) What impacts on the nature of wildfires?

2) 3 types of fire

Answer 1

1) flora involved, temperatures, wind, topography, largest fires spread in windy low humidity conditions (Santa Ana Winds California)
2)
- Canopy fires – burn high up creating a continuous path for the flames
- Surface layer fires – grass, bushes and dense shrubbery
- Ground fires – smoulder through soil + litter which continue for months

Question 2

Describe the distribution of wildfires?

Answer 2

Areas that experience long dry summers e.g. Europe (2023 Rhodes Wildfires), Savanna Climate e.g. Australia + Africa

Question 3

What are the primary impacts of wildfires?

Answer 3

• Loss of life – 2019/20 Black Summer fires killed 450 people
• Loss of property
• Release of toxic gases – known as the ‘haze’ or Smog
• Loss of wildlife – 2019/20 black summer in Australia killed over 1 billion animals

Question 4

What are the secondary impacts of wildfires?

Answer 4

• Evacuation – many people must flee areas effected and accommodation + food services increase
• Increased flood risk – decreased interception from vegetation which can lead to flooding from precipitation

Question 5

What are the responses to wildfires?

Answer 5

Preparedness:
- Increasing awareness of evacuation plans and escape routes + make safety zones around their homes to prevent damage e.g. covering ground around property in gravel

Mitigation:
- Improved satellite monitoring prior to the event to direct authorities to the critical areas immediately
- Aeroplanes use retardant to distinguish flames, but chemicals can stunt future growth
- Smokejumpers parachute directly into flames to help distinguish from the eye of the flames

Prevention:
- Educate people on not leaving BBQs unattended, discarding of cigarettes properly + litter and glass
- Clearing areas of trees ahead of wildfires to create firebreaks

Question 6

Recent Wildfire event: 2019/20 Black Summer Bushfires Australia

Answer 6

Impacts:
- More than 20% of Australia’s forests burned
- 1 billion animals killed, and some species forced into extinction
- Costed $70billion and the smoke travelled 11,000km to South America
- 450 people died

Responses:
- Australian Defence force was deployed to provide air support + manpower
- Firefighters, supplies and equipment sent from Canada, NZ, US