forest fires
DESCRIPTION
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 - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Forest Fires](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081514/568167bd550346895ddd0f6d/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Forest Fires
HAZARDS!!!
By Jack and Graeme
![Page 2: Forest Fires](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081514/568167bd550346895ddd0f6d/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
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
![Page 3: Forest Fires](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081514/568167bd550346895ddd0f6d/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Even More……..
• El Nino• General Impacts LEDC/ MEDC• Prediction• Management• Stopping forest fire• Prevention• Public Perceptions• Conclusions• Possible Exam questions
![Page 4: Forest Fires](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081514/568167bd550346895ddd0f6d/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Remember…..
A Hazard is…..• “The possible threat of of a natural disaster
upon humans”• An example of this is Forest Fires
![Page 5: Forest Fires](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081514/568167bd550346895ddd0f6d/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
The key Ingredients of fire:
![Page 6: Forest Fires](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081514/568167bd550346895ddd0f6d/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
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
![Page 7: Forest Fires](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081514/568167bd550346895ddd0f6d/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
The Three Types of Forest Fires
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…………..
![Page 8: Forest Fires](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081514/568167bd550346895ddd0f6d/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Layers of the forest
Ground fire
Surface fire
Crown fire
![Page 9: Forest Fires](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081514/568167bd550346895ddd0f6d/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
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
![Page 10: Forest Fires](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081514/568167bd550346895ddd0f6d/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
LEDC CASE STUDY – 1997-98, East Kalimantan Indonesia
![Page 11: Forest Fires](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081514/568167bd550346895ddd0f6d/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
![Page 12: Forest Fires](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081514/568167bd550346895ddd0f6d/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
CAUSEForest 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.
![Page 13: Forest Fires](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081514/568167bd550346895ddd0f6d/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
- 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.
![Page 14: Forest Fires](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081514/568167bd550346895ddd0f6d/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
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
![Page 15: Forest Fires](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081514/568167bd550346895ddd0f6d/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Background
• Forest fires every year• Uncontrollable forest burned through
suburban streets in SE states• NS Wales and Victoria particularly affected
![Page 16: Forest Fires](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081514/568167bd550346895ddd0f6d/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
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
![Page 17: Forest Fires](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081514/568167bd550346895ddd0f6d/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
ImpactsSOCIAL 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
![Page 18: Forest Fires](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081514/568167bd550346895ddd0f6d/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Mitigation“ Lessening the effects of the
Hazard through thorough planning”
• Back burning• Also there was light rain which helped to
put the fire out
![Page 19: Forest Fires](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081514/568167bd550346895ddd0f6d/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
El NinoWhat is it?
•A change in water temperature in the South pacific Ocean and occurs about every 3- 7 years
In normal conditions the wind blows east to west but this causes it to slow or even reverse This causes water temperature to warm in the east rather than the west When the water is heated the air above it is also heated The causes clouds to form rather than rain to fall. Particularly in Indonesia and the Western Pacific El Nino water is warmed in the Eastern Pacific in Ecuador and Peru
![Page 20: Forest Fires](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081514/568167bd550346895ddd0f6d/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
IMPACTS
D= Drought
W= Rain
El Nino Conditions
Normal trade winds
![Page 21: Forest Fires](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081514/568167bd550346895ddd0f6d/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
Summary of Impacts
• Drought Conditions in Australia• Excessive rain and flooding in S. America• Death of fish die to change in water
temperatures
![Page 22: Forest Fires](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081514/568167bd550346895ddd0f6d/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
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.
![Page 23: Forest Fires](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081514/568167bd550346895ddd0f6d/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
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.
![Page 24: Forest Fires](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081514/568167bd550346895ddd0f6d/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
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
![Page 25: Forest Fires](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081514/568167bd550346895ddd0f6d/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
ManagementAfter 2000 forest fire USA planned following precautions:
1. Continue to make fire fighting resources available
2. Restore landscapes and rebuild communities that have been economically damaged
3. Work with communities and invest n fire reduction projects
4. Be accountable
![Page 26: Forest Fires](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081514/568167bd550346895ddd0f6d/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
How to put out a fire:
Heat must be COOLED
Oxygen must be SMOTHERED
Fuel must be REMOVED
![Page 27: Forest Fires](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081514/568167bd550346895ddd0f6d/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
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
![Page 28: Forest Fires](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081514/568167bd550346895ddd0f6d/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
PUBLIC PERCEPTIONSCOUNTER URBANISATION
BUILT INTO NATURAL BUSHLAND
LITTLE APPRECIATION OF FIRES
![Page 29: Forest Fires](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081514/568167bd550346895ddd0f6d/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
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
![Page 30: Forest Fires](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081514/568167bd550346895ddd0f6d/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
CONCLUSIONS
• 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
![Page 31: Forest Fires](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081514/568167bd550346895ddd0f6d/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
Possible Exam Question
1Discuss this statement:
The impacts of Forest Fires are worse in LEDCs than MEDCs
USE CASE STUDIES