WHAT IS A FOREST FIRE?
Forest fire or wildfire is an
uncontrolled fire in an area of combustible vegetation occurring in rural
areas. The most prevalent forest hazard is forest fire. Fires in forests are as old as the woods themselves. They pose a
threat to fauna and flora that seriously disturbs the biodiversity and ecology
and environment of a region, not only to the wealth of the forests but also to
the whole regime. The forests are littered with dry senescent leaves and
twinges during the summer, when there is no rain for months, which could burst
into flames ignited by the slightest spark.
One of the most several serious
uncontrolled forest fires occurred in Australia very recently in June 2019
which is known as the 2019–20 Australian bush-fire season. As of 14 January 2020, this season's fires have burned an estimated
18.6 million hectares (46 million acres; 186,000 square kilometres; 72,000
square miles), destroyed more than 5,900 buildings (including 2,779 homes) and
killed at least 34. An estimated
one billion animals have been killed and may contribute to extinction of some
endangered species.
This article
here explains forest fire and soil erosion event during the Late Devonian mass
extinction.
CAUSES OF FOREST FIRE
Forest fires are both caused by
natural causes and caused by mankind.
Natural causes: Many forest fires originate from
natural causes like lightning that set trees on fire. Rain does extinguish such
fires, however, without causing much damage. High atmospheric temperatures and
dryness (low humidity) provide favorable starting circumstances for a fire.
Man-made causes: Fire occurs when a source of
fire such as naked flame, cigarette, electrical spark or any ignition source
comes into contact with flammable material.
Here is an article which explains
causes and effects of forest fires in tropical rain forests in more detail.
HARMFUL EFFECTS
OF WILDFIRES
Wildfires can have immediate and
long term effects on river, lake and stream quality. Storm water runoff is the
most notable impact wildfires have. After the vegetation loss, the soil on the
ground becomes hydrophobic and prevents water from being absorbed. This inability to absorb water promotes the transportation of
debris and sediment into larger bodies of water, further polluting valuable and
essential resources.
In addition to this, wildfires also
have an adverse effect on air quality which is both immediate and long term. As
a forest burns, they release large amounts of smoke into the atmosphere. These
particles of smoke are typically small and consist of gases and water vapor.
Fire air pollution can travel long distances and can often pose a
threat to human health.
Moreover, the flames from these
fires destroy many animals’ food sources and homes and threaten their survival.
They are susceptible to disease, fungus, and insects because of their decreased
resistance following burn injuries for plants and trees that may survive the
flames.
THE ECOLOGICAL
BENEFITS OF WILDFIRES
While wildfires leave an enormous
amount of destruction in their path, they also leave some beneficial qualities
behind. To spread seeds and survive many plants require regular burns. Fires
can also kill diseases and insects that can affect plants ' livelihoods, remove
excessive debris from the forest floor, and allow more access to exposed
sunlight nutrients. Low intensity fires clear out the underbrush and prevent
future fire damage from spreading.
New grasslands are created after a
wildfire and allow the change to benefit the grazing animals. This increase in
the natural order of species allows for an ecological change that promotes
growth and the continuous life cycle. Vegetation such as the fire-weed, requires
fire disturbance to bloom and allow the re-growth of plants that have died due
to the fire. As vegetation and plants die away, new life begins to heal and
spring forth.
PREVENTION OF
WILDFIRES
Most wildfires are preventable,
unlike many natural disasters. The environmental and economic costs of
wildfires have a long-lasting impact. We can lower the threats associated with
these devastating tragedies by using caution, taking preventive measures and
monitoring fires responsibly.
INFORMATION SOURCES
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