Forest Fires
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Forest Fires
Nature of Forest fires
Forest fires are a common phenomenon in the modern world, caused by a series of risk factors resulting in the burning of a large area of forest cover. Subsequently, the United States of America records nearly 100,000 incidences of wild forest fire every year, with an average of seven million land acres of cleared by averagely 72,400 forest fires (Rinkesh, 2016). Global warming as a result of greenhouse effects has been cited as a significant contributor of wildfires in the U.S., posing a severe threat for increasing the number of forest fires in recent decades and years to come. According to Javaid (2020), forest fires are caused by two significant factors that are natural or human. He asserts that natural fires are ignited by volcanic eruptions, lightning incidences or spontaneous combustion of dry fuel like dry leaves and sawdust. For a natural fire to occur there has to be triangular association oxygen, fuel and heat or high-intensity hot lightning strike producing a spark that ignites fire (Javaid 2020).
Natural forest fires are categorized into three major types depending on the place of the eruption. In particular, the three models are ground fire, surface fire, and crown fire (Javaid 2020). Ground fire is the type that erupts below the leaves, while ground fire erupts on the forest surface, generally up to a height of 1.3 meters. However, crown fire is the wildest and most devastating type of fire as it erupts from the top of the tree to the branches (Javaid 2020). Notably, the fire starts from the treetops making it easier to be transferred to other tree crowns, thus spreading rapidly throughout the jungle, destroying every organism.
Conversely, human factors are increasingly becoming sources of forest fires courtesy of social activities that trigger burning. In particular, human factors such as entertainment ventures, smoking, and use of equipment that trigger fire are said to be the predominant forest fire risk fires. Rinkesh (2016) affirms that burning debris, which entails the burning of yard waste, can lead to forest fire, especially when there is the presence of wind that blows the flames to more full margins. In addition, he posits that unattended campfires intended for fun can blow out of proportion bursting into big fires in the wilderness that can spread rapidly. Fireworks presents another human activity risk factor that can cause forest fire if not carefully handled by amateurs (Rinkesh 2016). It is also common to see people mishandling cigarettes, yet they cause a forest fire. Most people are prone to disposing of cigarette buds into the bushes without confirming whether it is still burning, thereby increasing the risk of starting a fire. It should be noted that human factors are the significant sources of forest fires, though they can be controlled early by fire-fighters if they are detected at an early stage. Contrary to fires caused by human events, natural fires are difficult to contain as they burn for long before being discovered, thereby making it a hurdle to be extinguished.
Impacts of Forest Fires
The consequences of forest fires in America are vast and cut across all segments of the society, ranging from the physical environment, human habitation, health implications, animal life, as well as fauna and flora. According to Rinkesh (2016), forest fires destroy homes, wildlife, and vegetation. People whose houses are close to forests lose their homes to the raging fires, and so do the birds, insects, and wild animals that are killed by the fire, or forced out of their original habitats. Concurrently forest and is upset, providing a more significant threat to climatic changes of global warming. Moreover, forest fires have an infrastructural economic effect as communication facilities, road networks, systems of water delivery, and power lines are destroyed (Diaz, 2012). Restoring the destroyed basic amenities is costly as it requires enormous sums of money from people and organizations to repair or replace the damaged structures with new infrastructure. For example, the 1998 forest fire tragedy in the Florida state of the U.S. resulted in an increase of sales tax by the government to collect 43 million dollars required for repairing and replacing destroyed infrastructure. Also, the San Diego fire in 2003 resulted in infrastructural destruction that needed 143.7 million dollars to restore (Diaz, 2012).
Consequently, forest fires devastatingly affect communities in many ways, ranging from damaging homes to the closure of tourist amenities (Diaz, 2012). Diaz states that between 1985 and 2011, close to 9000 homes have been destroyed by forest fires in the United States. Subsequently, Fowler (2003) posits that forest fires negatively impact individuals through direct injuries to the people as well as deaths as evidenced by the Baldwin hills fire in the state of Los Angeles. Concurrently, forest fires affect the quality of water, primarily due to soil erosion that results in flooding of water bodies. Besides, soil erosion resulting from forest fires tends to deposit nutrients to water bodies like rivers that increase turbidity. It is worth noting that turbidity increases microbial production while excess sediments in the water strain filtration systems (Fowler, 2003).
Forest fire is a source of health and psychological implications for humans. First, forest fires can be a factor in premature deaths resulting from the inhalation of particulate matter and biomass smoke (Fowler, 2003). Notably, forest fires are associated with emission of carbon monoxide that reduces oxygen in the blood once inhaled, causing atheriosclerotic disease that results in the death of the affected person. Subsequently, forest fires are a source of suppressed immunity, cognitive and physical impairments, stress disorders, as well as psychological distress (Fowler, 2003).
Frequently Forest Fire Zones in the U.S.
Narrowing down to the frequently affected areas by forest fires, the state of California tops the list with the most fire incidences and the vast array of losses (Ruiz, 2019). In particular, the year 2018 was characterized by a rush of forest fires in the western half of the U.S., and in specific, the northern California that ended up destroying Paradise town destroyed 14,000 homes and killed 85 people (Ruiz, 2019). In addition, the state of California also witnessed a great forest fire known as the Thomas fire whose intensity was only surpassed by the campfire of 2018. Other regions that experience forest fire alerts include Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah, and Nevada (Ruiz, 2019)
Example of a disastrous event
The Amazon forest fires of 2019 go down the history books as being the greatest of forest fire incidences in recent times. The Amazon forest is the largest in the world and has experienced the most gruesome fire eruptions, with 2019 alone registering over 76,000 fires, an increase of about 80 per cent from 2018 (Borunda, 2019). The fires have been devastating and destructive not only to the Brazilians but also to the other parts of North and Central America. According to Borunda (2019), over 7,000 square miles of forest cover were razed by the forest fires. Predominantly, the fires are caused by human activities of deforestation and increasing efforts to boost the agricultural sector, especially in Brazil.
In particular, slash and burn agricultural activities have been on the rise over the last decades with farmers and ranchers clearing vegetation cover to create land crops and animals. Concurrently, the fires have resulted in global political outcry with people going to streets and social media platforms demanding action against the devastating fires. Consequently, the current government, under the presidency of Bolsonaro, has weakened environmental standards to combat activities that implicate the natural environment. In particular, the Brazil president used agricultural development in the Amazon as a campaign strategy which earned him victory, thereby increasing deforestation levels that had been reduced significantly by 2012 (Borunda, 2019).
Prevention and post Action of Forest Fires
Preventing forest fires is the responsibility of both individuals and the community at large through personal accountability and monitoring actions that can trigger an explosion. For instance, individuals should not dispose of Cigars, smoking materials, and matches on park grounds or from moving cars before ensuring that they are extinguished (“Wildfires Information, Preparation, and Safety Tips,” 2018). Concurrently, individuals must check the weather condition before engaging in activities that involve fire ignition like fireworks and campfires. In addition, individuals have the responsibility to call emergency services when they detect unattended fires.
Consequently, the community and organizations have the responsibility of developing local ordinances and laws that control the use of the natural environment. In other words, strict regulations must be put place to safeguard against the disruption of the natural environment. For example, laws that stipulate the procedure of burning wastes like removing all flammable materials from the yard before burning wastes (“Wildfires Information, Preparation, and Safety Tips,” 2018). Responding to wildfire requires one to evacuate through safe routes, avoiding outrunning the blaze but instead locate a water point and crouch in.
References
Borunda, A. (2019, August 29). See how much of the Amazon is burning, how it compares to other years. Retrieved May 16, 2020, from Nationalgeographic.com website: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2019/08/amazon-fires-cause-deforestation-graphic-map/
Diaz, J. M. (2012). Economic impacts of wildfire. Southern Fire Exchange, 498, 2012-7.
Fowler, C. (2003). Human Health Impacts of Forest Fires in the Southern United States: A Literature Review. Journal of Ecological Anthropology, 7(1), 39–63. https://doi.org/10.5038/2162-4593.7.1.3
Javaid, A. (2020, January 14). Causes of Fire in Forests. Retrieved May 15, 2020, from Daily Times website: https://dailytimes.com.pk/538959/causes-of-fire-in-forests/
Rinkesh. (2016, December 25). Causes, Effects and Solutions to Wildfires – Conserve Energy Future. Retrieved May 15, 2020, from Conserve Energy Future website: https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-effects-and-solutions-of-wildfires.php
Ruiz, S. (2019, March 7). California Made Headlines, but 5 Other U.S. States Also Broke Wildfire Records in 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2020, from World Resources Institute website: https://www.wri.org/blog/2019/03/california-made-headlines-5-other-us-states-also-broke-wildfire-records-2018
Wildfires Information, Preparation, and Safety Tips. (2018, January 18). Retrieved May 16, 2020, from Nationalgeographic.com website: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters/wildfire-safety-tips/
wildlife, and vegetation. People whose houses are close to forests lose their homes to the raging fires, and so do the birds, insects, and wild animals that are killed by the fire, or forced out of their original habitats. Concurrently forest and is upset, providing a more significant threat to climatic changes of global warming. Moreover, forest fires have an infrastructural economic effect as communication facilities, road networks, systems of water delivery, and power lines are destroyed (Diaz, 2012). Restoring the destroyed basic amenities is costly as it requires enormous sums of money from people and organizations to repair or replace the damaged structures with new infrastructure. For example, the 1998 forest fire tragedy in the Florida state of the U.S. resulted in an increase of sales tax by the government to collect 43 million dollars required for repairing and replacing destroyed infrastructure. Also, the San Diego fire in 2003 resulted in infrastructural destruction that needed 143.7 million dollars to restore (Diaz, 2012).
Consequently, forest fires devastatingly affect communities in many ways, ranging from damaging homes to the closure of tourist amenities (Diaz, 2012). Diaz states that between 1985 and 2011, close to 9000 homes have been destroyed by forest fires in the United States. Subsequently, Fowler (2003) posits that forest fires negatively impact individuals through direct injuries to the people as well as deaths as evidenced by the Baldwin hills fire in the state of Los Angeles. Concurrently, forest fires affect the quality of water, primarily due to soil erosion that results in flooding of water bodies. Besides, soil erosion resulting from forest fires tends to deposit nutrients to water bodies like rivers that increase turbidity. It is worth noting that turbidity increases microbial production while excess sediments in the water strain filtration systems (Fowler, 2003).
Forest fire is a source of health and psychological implications for humans. First, forest fires can be a factor in premature deaths resulting from the inhalation of particulate matter and biomass smoke (Fowler, 2003). Notably, forest fires are associated with emission of carbon monoxide that reduces oxygen in the blood once inhaled, causing atheriosclerotic disease that results in the death of the affected person. Subsequently, forest fires are a source of suppressed immunity, cognitive and physical impairments, stress disorders, as well as psychological distress (Fowler, 2003).
Frequently Forest Fire Zones in the U.S.
Narrowing down to the frequently affected areas by forest fires, the state of California tops the list with the most fire incidences and the vast array of losses (Ruiz, 2019). In particular, the year 2018 was characterized by a rush of forest fires in the western half of the U.S., and in specific, the northern California that ended up destroying Paradise town destroyed 14,000 homes and killed 85 people (Ruiz, 2019). In addition, the state of California also witnessed a great forest fire known as the Thomas fire whose intensity was only surpassed by the campfire of 2018. Other regions that experience forest fire alerts include Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah, and Nevada (Ruiz, 2019)
Example of a disastrous event
The Amazon forest fires of 2019 go down the history books as being the greatest of forest fire incidences in recent times. The Amazon forest is the largest in the world and has experienced the most gruesome fire eruptions, with 2019 alone registering over 76,000 fires, an increase of about 80 per cent from 2018 (Borunda, 2019). The fires have been devastating and destructive not only to the Brazilians but also to the other parts of North and Central America. According to Borunda (2019), over 7,000 square miles of forest cover were razed by the forest fires. Predominantly, the fires are caused by human activities of deforestation and increasing efforts to boost the agricultural sector, especially in Brazil.
In particular, slash and burn agricultural activities have been on the rise over the last decades with farmers and ranchers clearing vegetation cover to create land crops and animals. Concurrently, the fires have resulted in global political outcry with people going to streets and social media platforms demanding action against the devastating fires. Consequently, the current government, under the presidency of Bolsonaro, has weakened environmental standards to combat activities that implicate the natural environment. In particular, the Brazil president used agricultural development in the Amazon as a campaign strategy which earned him victory, thereby increasing deforestation levels that had been reduced significantly by 2012 (Borunda, 2019).
Prevention and post Action of Forest Fires
Preventing forest fires is the responsibility of both individuals and the community at large through personal accountability and monitoring actions that can trigger an explosion. For instance, individuals should not dispose of Cigars, smoking materials, and matches on park grounds or from moving cars before ensuring that they are extinguished (“Wildfires Information, Preparation, and Safety Tips,” 2018). Concurrently, individuals must check the weather condition before engaging in activities that involve fire ignition like fireworks and campfires. In addition, individuals have the responsibility to call emergency services when they detect unattended fires.
Consequently, the community and organizations have the responsibility of developing local ordinances and laws that control the use of the natural environment. In other words, strict regulations must be put place to safeguard against the disruption of the natural environment. For example, laws that stipulate the procedure of burning wastes like removing all flammable materials from the yard before burning wastes (“Wildfires Information, Preparation, and Safety Tips,” 2018). Responding to wildfire requires one to evacuate through safe routes, avoiding outrunning the blaze but instead locate a water point and crouch in.
References
Borunda, A. (2019, August 29). See how much of the Amazon is burning, how it compares to other years. Retrieved May 16, 2020, from Nationalgeographic.com website: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2019/08/amazon-fires-cause-deforestation-graphic-map/
Diaz, J. M. (2012). Economic impacts of wildfire. Southern Fire Exchange, 498, 2012-7.
Fowler, C. (2003). Human Health Impacts of Forest Fires in the Southern United States: A Literature Review. Journal of Ecological Anthropology, 7(1), 39–63. https://doi.org/10.5038/2162-4593.7.1.3
Javaid, A. (2020, January 14). Causes of Fire in Forests. Retrieved May 15, 2020, from Daily Times website: https://dailytimes.com.pk/538959/causes-of-fire-in-forests/
Rinkesh. (2016, December 25). Causes, Effects and Solutions to Wildfires – Conserve Energy Future. Retrieved May 15, 2020, from Conserve Energy Future website: https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-effects-and-solutions-of-wildfires.php
Ruiz, S. (2019, March 7). California Made Headlines, but 5 Other U.S. States Also Broke Wildfire Records in 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2020, from World Resources Institute website: https://www.wri.org/blog/2019/03/california-made-headlines-5-other-us-states-also-broke-wildfire-records-2018
Wildfires Information, Preparation, and Safety Tips. (2018, January 18). Retrieved May 16, 2020, from Nationalgeographic.com website: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters/wildfire-safety-tips/