Forestfireprotection in Poland and Europe 1

Fire Fires are the main and the most dangerous threat to our forests. After the fire the forest reborns for the many decades. Threat of wildfires in Polish forests is the highest in Europe. 2

Factors causing fires The main factor causing fire are long-lasting droughts resulting in poor litter moisture. However, the fire does not catch by itself, only in rare cases, the fires are the result of natural accidents such as lightinings . About 95% of all forest fires are caused by irresponsible human behavior, like leaving campfires burning in the forests or mindless throwing cigarette butts out of cars and trains. 3

Effects of fires 4

Flora and fauna destruction In the natural world, wildfires are a huge ecological disaster. Due to fires protected plant species die. Firstly, plant's roots, stems and leaves are damaged. Then, delicate herbs and deep rooting plants die. Bacterial flora is also destroyed. Forests, meadows, bushes are home to vast numbers of species of insects, birds and other animals. They all die in the wildfire. Moreover, predatory insects, frogs, whose population is decreasing from year to year, hedgehogs, hares, birds ' chicks and birds ' eggs, which are nesting areas for meadows, in roadside ditches, bushes – all die in flames. 5

Toxins in the air and soil destruction While firing, smoke arises, whose basic components are toxins that are very harmful for nature. Fumes prevent bees pollination which in turn lowers the yield of plants. Large amounts of aromatic hydrocarbons carcinogenic properties are released into the air. This contributes to the shrinking of the soil and the formation of cracks, leading to erosion of the deeper layers of the soil, creating specific look of the scorched ground.. It is important to correct the behaviour of each of us in the forest or its surroundings and above all compliance with the prohibition on the use of fire in forest areas. Forest areas are a special place due to its rich flora and fauna, which is threatened even by the smallest fire source. Characteristics of forest makes navigating them difficult, and finding a place of fire and extinguishing it, is often very time consuming. Keep in mind that the best way to reduce fires in the forests is simply the caution. 6

List of all fires which have occurred since 2012 in comparison with the year 2011 7

Statistical summary of fires distinguished into voivodeships in the period from 01.03.2012 to 27.03.2012. 8

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ATTENTION !! As a result, burning the grass causes many processes, in particular plants are no longer producing oxygen, decomposing process is also stopped. Dust and gases that are poisons for both people and animals are released into the atmosphere. Breeding sites are being destroyed andmany species nesting on the ground and in shrubs are killed. 11

THANKS FOR YOU ATTENTION! Marta Sypta, Alicja Steblik oraz Bartosz Slowik Klasa 1cT, technikum informatyczne Zespól Szkól Mechaniczno – Elektrycznych w Zywcu 12

Sources: http://www.kmpspbydgoszcz.pl/attachments/article/43/pozary.ppt http://ospokonek.pl/cwiczenia-las-nadlesnictwo-jastrowie/ http://www.wiz.pl/8,247.html http://www.polskieradio.pl/5/3/Artykul/638465,Pozary-w-Hiszpanii-Zginal-pilot-smiglowca 13