AIM: What are the effects of a forest fire?

DN: Write down what you know about forest fires. For example, you could write down how they start, the damage they cause

HW: Article due Friday

What is a forest fire?• Uncontrolled fire• AKA wildfires

http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/north-america/videos/filming-a-raging-forest-fire.htm

Filming a Forest Fire

What causes a wildfire?

1. The number one reason for wildfires in the U.S. is humans!!– Arson– Burning campfires– cigarettes

• More than 80% of all wildfires are started by humans.2. nature

How does nature cause wildfires?1. Lightening2. Sun (if intense enough and the conditions are

dry enough)

http://assets.climatecentral.org/images/uploads/gallery/Wildfires_lightning_2013.jpg

What is needed for a wildfire to burn?

Fire Triangle1. Fuel– Flammable material surrounding a fire• Trees, grasses, homes

2. Oxygen3. Heat source– Lightening– Human caused

How are forest fires stopped?

1. Water dousing2. Spraying fire retardants3. Clearing vegetation• Starves a fire of fuel so it can be contained or

slowed

4. Starting fires

WAIT........... WHAT????????

How could starting fires help to stop them?

Controlled burning

Removes undergrowth, brush and ground litter- all sources of fuel!!!!

Where do wildfires occur?Anywhere the conditions are right

West- very common…….why?• Heat• Drought• Frequent thunderstorms

Are wildfires always bad?

NO!!!!!!!

What do you thing are some pros and cons to forest fires?

What are the cons of wildfires?

• Damaging to homes

• Harmful smoke

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/evacuees-flee-california-wildfire-grows-n222086

What are the benefits of wildfires?

1. Cleaning the forest floor2. Providing habitat3. Killing disease4. New generations

1. Cleaning the forest floor

• Removes low growing underbrush• Cleans forest floor of debris• Nourishes the soil

This reduces competition for established trees and allows them to grow stronger and healthier

2. Providing Habitat

• Clears heavy brush leaving room for new grasses and shrubs which provides food and shelter for many species.

• Increases water in streams……how?– Fewer plants absorbing water

3. Killing Disease

• Destroys pests that cause disease in trees

4. New Generations

• Some seeds need heat to germinate– Some have leaves that are covered with

flammable resins to encourage fire

Long Island Pine Barrens

• Fire started in August 1995

• Lasted about one week

• Affected about 5,000 acres

Pine Barrens Fire