Forest Fires & Their Role in the Earth System

What is Fire?

Components of Fire Must have all 3 for a fire to occur Fuel- material being burned Oxygen- needed for chemical reaction Heat- ignites the fuel with the oxygen

Causes of Forest Fires Lightning Human carelessness Volcano eruptions and heat waves Droughts and cyclical climate changes Commonly occur during years of drought and on days of strong winds

Increased chance of forest fire in areas that… Have a really wet season (lots of plants grow) followed by a very dry season (greenery dries out). Have not had a recent forest fire and therefore have a lot of overgrowth.

Forest Fire Fuels

Benefits of Forest Fires Forest fires are a natural part of Earth’s system Fires allow for regeneration Fires are necessary for biological diversity and healthy ecosystems

Removes dead, weakened trees, and plants Creates a more open forest floor which allows sunlight in for more growth Ash left behind puts nutrients into the soil Kills off invasive species allowing native species to regain territory

Disadvantages of Forest Fires Loss of habitat for animals Increase particles in the air can affect health of people Soil damage which can result in erosion Uncontrolled burns can result in millions of dollars worth of property damage to homes or timber

Yellowstone Fires of 1988