wildfires

Question 1

what is a wildfire

Answer 1

a wildfire is an unplanned uncontrolled and unpredictable rural fire

Question 2

crown wildfire

Answer 2

a wildfire that spreads across tree canopies from tree to tree

Question 3

how hot can crown fires be

Answer 3

up to 1100 degrees celcisus

Question 4

how easily can crown fires spread and why

Answer 4

very easily due to high exposure to wind, allowing the fire to be blown from tree to tree

Question 5

what is a ground fire

Answer 5

a fire that burns beneath the ground in layers of dry organic peat

Question 6

how hot can ground fires be

Answer 6

up to 540 degress celcius

Question 7

how easily do ground fires spread

Answer 7

ground fires do not spread very easily or quickly

Question 8

which type of fire burns for the longest time

Answer 8

ground fire

Question 9

what is a surface fire

Answer 9

a fire that burns and spreads on the surface of the ground

Question 10

what type of fire is most common

Answer 10

a surface fire

Question 11

how hot can surface fires be

Answer 11

up to 900 degrees celcius

Question 12

what type of fire is easiest to control

Answer 12

a surface fire

Question 13

why is a surface fire the easiest to control

Answer 13

the fire is easily accesible and visible so can be put out before it gets too big

Question 14

what does pyrophytic mean

Answer 14

plant species that can withstand fire through some sort of mechanism such as resistant bark

Question 15

what is an example of a pyrophytic plant

Answer 15

the baobab tree

Question 16

what are the benefits of wildfires

Answer 16

-can rid areas of parasites and diseases
-clear vegetation and aid new seed germination

Question 17

what are the primary effects of wildfires

Answer 17

-loss of life
-loss of property
-loss of crops, timber and livestock
-releases toxic gases
-damage to soil and nurtients

Question 18

what are the secondary effects of wildfires

Answer 18

-loss of business
-loss of tourism
-risk sharing (increase in insurance premiums)
-eutrophication of rivers
-increased levels of fear
-increased flood risk as there is less vegetation to intercept

Question 19

what is required for a wildfire to start

Answer 19

-oxygen
-ignition source
-fuel
-hot dry areas

Question 20

what are the physical causes of wildfires

Answer 20

-lightning
-spontaneous heating
-volcanic eruptions

Question 21

what are the human causes of wildfires

Answer 21

-arson (deliberate starting of a firE)
-slash and burn farming techniques
-discarded cigarettes
-electric pylons falling over

Question 22

what management can happen before a wildfire

Answer 22

-controlled burn to get rid of excess vegetation that acts as fuel
-education on how to reduce risk and decrease chances of accidentally starting a wildfire
-warning systems for evacuation
-managing the built environment, such as building houses further away

Question 23

what management can happen during a wildfire

Answer 23

-fire fighting techniques including the use of sky jello

Question 24

what managment can happen after a wildfire

Answer 24

-replanting trees to restart forestry related businesses
-replanting trees or cover vegetation to help stabilise the soil
-preparedness

Question 25

distribution of wildfires

Answer 25

-monsoon climates where wet seasons allow vegetation to grow and is followed by a very hot dry season