Causes & Impacts of Wildfires

• What are some human causes of wildfires?

  • Discarding cigarettes
  • Poorly controlled campfires
  • Arson
  • Downed or faulty power lines
  • Fireworks
  • Deforestation (slash and burn)
  • Machinery & equipment (sparks from chainsaws, tractors)
  • Glass bottles
• What are the most prone areas for wildfires?

  "Wildland-urban interfaces" -- These are woodlands that are close to urban areas such as Sydney or Los Angeles
• What are some natural causes of wildfires?

  • Lightning
  • Volcanic activity
  • Drought
  • High wind
  • Spontaneous combustion
• What are the primary environmental impacts of forest fires?

  • Destruction of habitats and ecosystems
  • Death and injury of animals affecting food chains
  • Short-term surge of CO2 from burning carbon stores
  • Atmospheric pollution and water pollution from toxic ash
• What are the primary social impacts of forest fires?


  • Loss of life and injuries
  • Displacement of people
  • Disruption to power supplies
  • Damage to communication infrastructure
• What are the primary economic impacts of forest fires?

  • Damage or destruction of structures
  • Financial loss from damage costs and loss of earnings
  • Destruction of businesses
  • Loss of crops and livestock
• What are the primary political impacts of forest fires?

  • Action of emergency services
  • Government response and "state of emergency" status
  • Pressure on authorities to coordinate responses
• How do heat transfer processes affect wildfire spread?

  • Radiation, conduction, and convection preheat vegetation
  • Hot air rises, causing fire to advance vertically
  • Fires advance more rapidly up slopes than on level ground
• What are some secondary social impacts of forest fires?

  • Need for new employment and income streams
  • Behavioral adaptations based on wildfire experience
• What are some secondary political impacts of forest fires?

  • Development of preparedness and mitigation strategies
  • Decisions about replanting and compensation
  • Review of laws regarding countryside use
• What are some secondary economic impacts of forest fires?

  • Cost of rebuilding or relocation
  • Replacement of farm infrastructure and livestock
  • Cost of future preparedness strategies
• What are some secondary environmental impacts of forest fires?

  • Depletion of nutrient stores and increased leaching
  • Increased carbon emissions affecting climate change
  • Effects on ecosystem development and secondary succession
• What are firebrands and how do they contribute to wildfire spread?


  Burning fragments of vegetation carried by winds can ignite isolated spot fires
• How does gravity affect the spread of wildfires?

  Gravity can cause firebrands to roll downstream, igniting fires away from the main fire front
• How do human and natural causes of wildfires differ?

  Human causes are often preventable actions, while natural causes occur due to environmental factors
• If a wildfire occurs in a wildland-urban interface, what might be a primary concern for emergency services?


  Coordinating evacuation and response efforts for affected residents