3.4. Wildfires

• Which weather conditions promote the spread of wildfires?

  Hot, dry, and windy
• Wildfires are destructive fires that burn in natural environments, such as forests, grasslands, and scrublands
• Match the human-caused source with its description:

  Arson ↔️ Deliberate setting of fires

  Accidents ↔️ Unintentional ignition from activities

  Prescribed burns ↔️ Controlled fires for vegetation management
• What are the four factors influencing wildfire occurrence and spread?

  Fuel, weather, topography, ignition
• Fires spread faster downslope due to gravity.

  False
• Wildfires destroy vegetation and wildlife habitats, leading to biodiversity loss.
• Wildfires destroy infrastructure, such as roads and buildings.
• Wildfire management strategies include prevention, suppression, and recovery.
• What are wildfires characterized by?

  Rapid spread, high intensity
• Match the factor with its description:

  Fuel ↔️ Vegetation that feeds the fire

  Weather ↔️ Conditions affecting fire behavior

  Topography ↔️ Slope and elevation influencing fire spread
• Dry and dense vegetation provides more fuel for the fire, allowing it to spread faster.
• Hot, dry, and windy weather conditions promote fire spread.
• Steep terrain and narrow canyons can channel winds and funnel the fire's advance.
• Prevention strategies for wildfires include public awareness campaigns and land use planning.
• Match the climate change factor with its effect on wildfires:

  Rising Temperatures ↔️ Leads to drier vegetation and soils

  Changing Precipitation Patterns ↔️ Creates droughts and heatwaves

  Shifting Weather Patterns ↔️ Alters wind speeds and directions
• The 2019-2020 Australian wildfires were intensified by climate change and dry conditions.


  True
• What are wildfires characterized by?

  Rapid spread, high intensity
• Topography, such as slope and elevation, can affect wildfire behavior and spread


  True
• Why can wildfires spread rapidly?

  They cover large areas
• Dense, dry vegetation acts as greater fuel for wildfires, allowing them to spread rapidly

  True
• How does dry and dense vegetation affect wildfire spread?

  It allows it to spread faster
• What are the three key factors influencing wildfire spread?

  Fuel, weather, topography
• What type of pollution is caused by wildfires?

  Air pollution
• What are some health impacts of wildfires?

  Respiratory illnesses, burns
• Match the wildfire management strategy with its key action:

  Prevention ↔️ Public awareness campaigns

  Suppression ↔️ Early detection systems

  Recovery ↔️ Ecosystem restoration
• Wildfires can cause significant damage to both ecosystems and human settlements.
• Lightning strikes are a natural cause of wildfires.


  True
• Steep terrain can funnel winds and increase fire spread.


  True
• Fires spread faster downslope due to gravity.

  False
• Match the environmental impact of wildfires with its description:

  Habitat Loss ↔️ Destroys vegetation and wildlife habitats

  Air Pollution ↔️ Releases toxic gases and particulate matter

  Soil Degradation ↔️ Reduces soil fertility and increases flood risk

  Water Contamination ↔️ Pollutes water sources with ash and debris
• Firebreaks are used in suppression strategies to contain wildfires.


  True
• How do changing precipitation patterns caused by climate change affect wildfires?

  Create ideal burning conditions
• What was a key factor contributing to the Great Fire of London in 1666?

  Overcrowding and drought
• The type, amount, and dryness of vegetation that can act as fuel for the fire is referred to as fuel
• What are two types of ignition sources for wildfires?

  Natural and human-caused
• Give an example of a natural cause of wildfires.

  Lightning strikes
• Fires tend to spread faster upslope due to rising hot air and flames
• South-facing slopes increase fire risk because they dry out more easily


  True
• Match the factor with its effect on wildfire spread:

  Fuel ↔️ Increases spread if dry and dense

  Weather ↔️ Hot and windy conditions promote spread

  Topography ↔️ Fires spread faster upslope
• Wildfires can reduce soil fertility.


  True