WILDFIRES

• wildfire 


  an uncontrolled inferno in the natural world
• how is pyrophytic vegetation adapted to survive wildfires

  a high water content and thick bark makes it hard to burn
• conditions favouring intense fires

  dry vegetation PYROLYTIC

  climate
• causes of wildfires

  • naturally by lightening striking dry areas- especially during a drought
  • human - fallen power lines, discarded cigarettes, agricultral fires, deliberately by arson
• where do wildfires seem to occur

  high fire count tends to be in hot dry countries such as Central Africa, Central America and Australia
• natural causes of wildfires

  • optimum climate conditions - not much rainfall, dry vegetation and lightning strikes
  • pyrophytic vegetation- plants that encourage and withstand fires. Needs fire for germination so they can reproduce
  • chaparral- tangled shrubs and thorny bushes that are susceptible to fire
• human causes of wildfires

  • falling powerlines
  • carelessly discarded cigarettes
  • children playing with matches
  • campfires
  • arson
  • controlled burning that becomes out of hand