What are Wildfires?
Wildfires are blazes that are uncontrolled and fueled by different types of weather, dry underbrush, and wind, which burn land by the acres and take over everything in their paths, in just a few minutes. There are typically about 100,000 wildfires in the United States every year. Over 9 million acres of land have been destroyed due to treacherous wildfires. Here in this article you will get to know about the causes, effects, and solutions to these wildfires and what can be done about them?
According to WeatherWizKids, “A wildfire also known as a wildland fire, forest fire, vegetation fire, grass fire, peat fire, bushfire (in Australia), or hill fire is an uncontrolled fire often occurring in wildland areas, but which can also consume houses or agricultural resources. Wildfires often begin unnoticed, but they spread quickly igniting brush, trees and homes. “
Climate warming from increasing greenhouse gas emissions is forecast to dramatically increase the risk of very large, damaging wildfires over the next several decades, a new NOAA-funded study says. Here is an interesting piece of article which says that risk of large U.S. wildfires are predicted by mid-century.
It is known that wildfires behave unpredictably – this is fundamental – but it is my experience that humans in the presence of wildfire are also likely to behave in aberrant and unpredictable ways.
– Michael Leunig
Causes of Wildfires
1. Human beings are the number one cause of wildfires in the United States. Many of these wildfires are caused by cigarette butts being left on the land, campfires that have been left unmonitored, as well as intentional acts of arson. 90% of the wildfires in the U.S. are caused by people. Below are few of the man-made causes of wildfires.
- Burning Debris: It is pretty common to burn yard waste in many places. While it is legal to do so, it may cause fires at many places when things go out of hand. Winds play a major role in wildfires. They can cause flames of a burning debris to spread into forests or farms or fields.
- Unattended Campfires: Camping can be of great fun for both young and old age people. Unattended campfires can put things out of control and can cause wildfires. It is therefore recommended to choose safe location for a campfire that is away from ignitable objects and is stocked with a bucket of water and a shovel.
- Equipment Failure or Engine Sparks: A running engine can spew hot sparks when things go wrong. Car crashes have been known to start fires quickly and that is why it is common to see firefighters rush to the scene in anticipation of a fire. Small engine sparks can give way to high flames if that vehicle is operating in a field or a forest.
- Cigarettes: Cigarettes are another common cause of wildfires. It is common for people to throw the cigarette bud on the ground knowing that it is still burning. Smokers must understand that a small negligence on their part can cause huge impact on the environment and surrounding areas.
- Fireworks: Fireworks are fun to shoot off but special care needs to be taken when they are in the hands of amateurs. Fireworks must be avoided even when there is small chance that they could start a wildfire. If not handled properly that may end up as flames in unwanted territory.
- Arson: Arson is the act of setting fire to property, vehicles or any other thing with the intention to cause damage. A person who commits this crime is called an arsonist. Arson is sometime done by people to their own property in order to receive compensation. Arson may account for 30% of all wildfire cases.
2. Mother Nature is responsible for other 10% of wildfires in the United States.
- Lightening: Lightening can cause wildfires, especially the type of lightning called “hot lightning”, which can last for a relatively long time. When it strikes, it can produce a spark which can set off a forest or a field.
- Volcanic Eruption: Hot burning lava, from volcanic eruptions, also causes wildfires.
Effects of Wildfires
1. Wildfires take away homes, wildlife, as well as vegetation. All of the inhabitants of the wildlife environment now are found homeless. People often lose their houses as well if the fires are close enough to human housing. Vegetation is now obsolete if this area is near a farm or near the food of other inhabitants. Millions of dollars are spent repairing these damages and re-building homes and areas of vegetation.
2. The soil in the area of the wildfire has been completely destroyed. The soils in the forest are made with decaying nutrients and debris that have a lot of natural ingredients that help make the earth what it is. When a wildfire hits this soil it becomes too hot and all of those nutrients are gone for good.
3. Animals lose their lives. It is sad but true fact that birds, squirrels, rabbits, and other wildlife animals are no longer a part of this great earth.
4. Trees and plants are gone as well. Trees and plants help to produce oxygen in the world. The less trees and plants there are the less clean air we have to breathe. With no plants or trees, the animals that did survive no longer have anything to eat.
5. Too much water in the soil can cause erosion. Firefighters use a great deal of water to put out these vicious wildfires. Too much water in the soil causes it to erode and make it useless.
6. Large amounts of smoke is released into the air which makes it difficult to breathe and also causes air pollution.
7. Unfortunately, some human lives are also lost in wildfires. Typically people who are fighting the fire who lose their lives trying to save others.
8. Ash and smoke can cause serious health problems to humans who suffer from allergies and other medical problems. This same smoke and ash has the ability to permanently damage the lungs and the throat.
9. Incomes and jobs are lost for workers in the agricultural field whose field crops and animals were destroyed by the wildfire. When people are out of work the economy suffers which makes it difficult to recover.
10. Insurance premiums soar sky high after a wildfire because now everyone is looking to obtain some kind of insurance to prevent such devastating losses. People are unable to afford these premiums even when they need them the most.
11. There will be restricted recreational areas that will not be able to be accessed until the area is clear of debris and is determined to be safe to inhabit or visit.
12. The loss of animals has the ability to also create extinction for certain animals and other creatures of the forest.
Solutions to Wildfires
1. Make sure you are following all of the local regulations and laws regarding burning fires during various times of day, year, and what materials and substances are permitted to be burned. If you do not see a sign with the rules find a park ranger or someone close by and keep a list of the rules and regulations on hand.
2. Keep up to date with the weather forecast so you are sure not to burn any substances while there are high winds or other treacherous conditions. Certain areas are more prone to wildfires than others so make sure that you check with the area to see if they are more at risk than other areas. The Wildland Fire Assessment System will give you an updated map on which areas are more at risk. Weather is one of the biggest reasons why wildfires occur. Always keep in mind the weather before you ever even plan your trip.
3. Only light fires in areas that are easily controlled locations. Make sure when you are creating fire pits or other fires that you are doing so in areas that are controlled and fires cannot spread into other areas. A fire will need to be contained so that it will be easy to put out especially if a dangerous situation would arise.
4. Do not burn any materials that are combustible or unusual in nature. Do not throw garbage onto campfires or any other materials that should not be burned. You should only be using materials that are organic such as leaves, woods, or yard waste. If you put unusual materials into a fire it is only going to make the fire spread at a rapid rate which causes more problems for the area you are in.
5. If you are a cigarette smoker it is important not to smoke cigarettes where you are not supposed to. If you do smoke you need to make sure that you put your cigarette out completely before disposing of it. Under no circumstances should you throw cigarettes onto the ground. Make sure they are completely put out and dispose of them properly. Most camping and picnic areas do not allow smoking so if you are going to smoke you need to know the rules beforehand.
6. Teach your children the rules and safety precautions of camping and being outdoors. Make sure they know to stay away from fires and to always allow an adult to start and put out fires. Many wildfires are caused by unattended children near fires. Teaching them the ways of nature could make all of the difference.
Wildfires are an unfortunate occurrence but they can be prevented. Learn the rules of the area in which you are camping in and make sure you are following them explicitly. They are extremely dangerous and cause quite a bit of dangerous to our land and the habitat of many creatures. Following the rules could save the lives and homes of many people and blessed creatures that are on this earth. Humans are the number one cause of wildfires and can be the number one solution as well. Be the solution and know the rules.
