Forest Fires HAZARDS!!! By Jack and Graeme

What will we discuss? What is a hazard? Fire- key ingredients Causes Types of fire Where in the forest layer do they affect? Where? LEDC Case study- Indonesia MEDC Case study - Australia

Even More…….. El Nino General Impacts LEDC/ MEDC Prediction Management Stopping forest fire Prevention Public Perceptions Conclusions Possible Exam questions

Remember….. A Hazard is….. “The possible threat of of a natural disaster upon humans” An example of this is Forest Fires

The key Ingredients of fire: OXYGEN HEAT FUEL

Causes NATURAL EVENTS: lightening strikes, drought, anticyclones HUMAN ACTIONS: Camp fires, Arson, BBQs, smoking, negligence, fireworks PRESCRIBED FIRE: This is used to relive the possible hazard of further fires and causes less damage 90% of forest fires are human caused: www.forestfirecontrol.com

The Three Types of Forest Fires Nature of fire GROUND FIRE Burns the humus layer of the forest floor but doesn’t burn above the surface SURFACE FIRES Burn the forest undergrowth and the surface layer CROWN FIRES Advance through the tops of the trees or shrubs These layers are shown on the next slide…………..

Layers of the forest EMERGENT CANOPY SURFACE LAYER HUMUS LAYER Ground fire Surface fire Crown fire

Where do forest fires happen and why? They can happen anywhere in the world due to the numerous causes which include: Drought- Portugal Aug 2003 Human negligence- America 2001 High Temperatures and wind- Melbourne Australia Jan 2003

LEDC CASE STUDY – 1997-98, East Kalimantan Indonesia

CAUSE Forest fires affect 5.2 million hectares in the east of the Kalimantan area, the causes of which are: Prolonged drought periods caused as a result of the El Nino Slash and burn farming Arson by financial companies and locals wanting compensation for loss of land. Incidental fires started by disregarded cigars on dry ground. Locals burning illegal logging storage areas in protest.

- EFFECTS + EFFECTS Loss of land, such as the local forest gardens Loss of materials like rubber trees, crops and forest resources. Health problems like respiratory difficulty due to the actual fire, and malnutrition due to lost crops. Damage to the infrastructure, such as the poorly laid roads, which were un-usable after the fire. + EFFECTS Local governing bodies have stopped the illegal operations of the PALM OIL COMPANY and illegal loggers. This means a reduced chance of the issue re-occurring.

MEDC CASE STUDY – AUSTRALIA, JANUARY 2003 The places which are particularly at risk in Australia are: Canberra Adelaide Melbourne This is because they have the highest risk of Drought and High Temperatures. El Nino is discussed later on

Background Forest fires every year Uncontrollable forest burned through suburban streets in SE states NS Wales and Victoria particularly affected

Causes Arson committed by a volunteer fire fighter Started 6 fires in 12 weeks Dry ground due to El Nino aggravated drought Eucalyptus (Australia’s native plant)with high oil content made the fire burn more Fires fanned by 40mph winds

Impacts SOCIAL ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMIC 4 Dead 530 homes in flames Thredbo ski resort evacuated Cooma and Jindbyne- 1000 evacuated 260,000 hectares of Victoria National park burnt down Small businesses in Sydney suburbs destroyed Built new homes

Mitigation “ Lessening the effects of the Hazard through thorough planning” Back burning Also there was light rain which helped to put the fire out

El Nino What is it? A change in water temperature in the South pacific Ocean and occurs about every 3- 7 years

IMPACTS DROUGHT RAIN D= Drought W= Rain El Nino Conditions Normal trade winds

Summary of Impacts Drought Conditions in Australia Excessive rain and flooding in S. America Death of fish die to change in water temperatures

Impacts in an MEDC Social: these impacts are loss of homes, although fire services are of an advanced standard, sometimes the fires are uncontrollable so wreak havoc in small settlements near to the blaze. Also, loss of income for lumber company workers who will, obviously, be out of employment. Environmental: Loss of habitats of different varieties of birds, small mammals and larger ones such as bears. Also CO2 is released ( due to the fact that trees are large carbon stores)which contributes the green-house effect. Economic: Impacts on economy as expenditure increases on emergency services, therefore could be decreases in other sectors. Also, the revenue lumber companies would have made during usual business is lost.

Impacts on an LEDC Social: Poor quality homes, and poorly planned settlements, burn quickly as there are no/very few building regulations to prevent damage. Also, the homes are often built too close to the hazard in the first place, as space is at a premium so most available land is built upon. Environmental: Again, habitats of wild life are lost to the hazard, and also CO2 is released. These are very similar to the MEDC, but due to lack of quality emergency services, the impacts are often greater. Economic: Farmland is damaged due the fire, which can leave it un-fertile, so the money which farming would’ve made is no longer contributed to the economy. Also, jobs in things such as factories and business may be jeopardised if the transport routes into urban areas are damaged.

Prediction See where will be at threat at certain times USA has daily ‘Fire Danger Forecasts’ WFAS and NFDRS – A Wildfire Assessment System and National Fire Danger Rating System Daily situation summary report to media- keeps public informed and made aware of danger

Management After 2000 forest fire USA planned following precautions: Continue to make fire fighting resources available Restore landscapes and rebuild communities that have been economically damaged Work with communities and invest n fire reduction projects Be accountable

Stopping Forest Fire HEAT FUEL OXYGEN How to put out a fire: Heat must be COOLED Oxygen must be SMOTHERED Fuel must be REMOVED

Prevention More fire fighter sin at risk areas Media campaigns in dry months against negligence Education in Schools Steep punishment for starting fire Back burning in controlled conditions so cannot spread Fire beaks e.g. stream or road which fire cannot engulf Sprinklers on helicopters

PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS

Particularly AUSTRALIA and USA PUBLIC IS UNAWARE!! More than 900 homes are destroyed every year yet flammable materials are still kept in (e.g. Melbourne 1980s) Vegetation still kept by homes Inadequate fire fighting equipment Particularly AUSTRALIA and USA

CONCLUSIONS Mediation can occur but will not always stop forest fires Can be predicted and there are many ways of preventing them Education of people living near danger zones Creates comfort and safety although not always the case as with All hazards Mediation can occur but will not always stop forest fires

Possible Exam Question 1Discuss this statement: The impacts of Forest Fires are worse in LEDCs than MEDCs USE CASE STUDIES