Forest Fire Management in the Southwest - Essay Example

Number Forest Fire Management in the Southwest Introduction Whether forest fires is classified as either ground fires, surface fires, or crown fires; forest fires are harmful not only to the ecosystems but also the health and safety of the people. Even though the presence of fire can be beneficial in terms of nutrient cycling, diversity maintenance, and the formation of habitat structure, fire suppression could always have more disadvantages as compared to its advantages. Upon determining the year-to-date statistical incidence of forest fires in southwest, this study will focus on analyzing the current and past fire patterns. In line with this, factors that contribute to the start of forest fire will be identified followed by tackling whether or not there are differences between the current and past forest fire problem. Prior to conclusion, this study will go through the past and current forest fire management techniques applied in the case of southwest forests. Comparison between Past and Current Forest Fire Patterns There are similarities between past and current fire patterns such that forest fire can break out anytime of the year. In rare cases, forest fire can be triggered by the presence of lightning. Specifically the frequency and the average intervals between each forest fires within a specific location enables us to determine, measure, and record the past and current fire patterns in the southwest (Bond and Keeley, 2005). The worst forest fire in Southwest happened back in 2006 when a total of 9,358,686 acres of forest land was burned by 85,795 occasions of forest fires (National Interagency Fire Center, 2010). As a result of the government’s effort in improving strategies used in fire suppression, the total forest area burned in the Southwest was reduced from 5,692,960 in 2009 as compared to 3,130,398 in 2010 whereas the number of fire incidents was reduced from 72,466 in 2009 down to 60,319 in 2010 (ibid). (See Appendix I – Trend of Forest Fire in Southwest between the years 2001 to 2010 on page 7) With regards to the role of dendrochronology in the studies of past forest fires, the number of tree-ring is being considered as a guide in determining how old most of the trees are available in the forest. Given that the number of tree-rings is few in most of the trees, there is a strong possibility that forest fire in a specific forest area happens occasionally. One of the main reasons why forest fires often occur during dry season is because excessive heat coming from the sun. During summer time, plants are expected to go through a transpiration phase wherein the water present in the plants is lost through evaporation. Because of the presence of overhead vegetation in southwest forest, there is an increase in solar radiation on soil surface during 12 noon when the heat of the sun is at its peak. There are plants wherein the leaves are coated with flammable oils whereas other plants can either have fire-activated seeds or buds (Firewise, 2010). As soon as excessive heat reaches the plants with flammable oil or fire-activated seeds or buds, the spreading of forest fire begins. Other than dry season, other factors that contribute to the increase of forest fire during the month of February to May and October to December is due to human intervention through arson, smoking, children playing with fire, railroads, lightning, and campfires (Virginia Department of Forestry, 2010). Specifically during Spring and Fall seasons, more families are willing to spend some time in forest area for camping. Due to lack of sufficient knowledge when starting a campfire in forest area, it is possible for human beings to accidentally start a destructive fire in the forest (US Forest Service, 2010 b). Southwest Forest Fire Management Strategies As part of the wildfire prevention strategies, private landowners around the southwest area were encouraged to participate in forest fire management by building houses and infrastructure made of fire-resistant materials and choosing the most effective landscaping techniques that is less prone to worsen the forest fire (US Forest Service, 2010 a). The use of fire-resistant materials in the construction of houses and other infrastructure can minimize the cost of destroyed properties in case of fire accidents. Aside from teaching the people who are living around the southwest forest area about the importance of evacuation procedures during emergency cases, people were also taught some ways on how to safely start or put out a campfire effectively. In line with this, people were advice not to start a fire when there is a strong wind, avoid smoking in forest area, never burn aerosol cans to avoid explosion, and pour water on campfire after camping (US Forest Service, 2010 b). In case of forest fire, aerial firefighters are used to combat wildfires. In line with this, chemicals and water enhancers in the form of gels or foams a.k.a. fire retardants are used to stop the spreading of fires in wild forest (USDA Forest Service, 2010 c). Aside from seeking the services of aerial firefighters in putting off the forest fire, airtankers or helicopters can also be used in keeping the forest area moist during summer season. This particular forest fire management strategy is useful in terms of preventing the leaves are coated with flammable oils and other fire-activated seeds or buds from sparkling when in touched with excessive heat. Because of the presence of global warming, it is crucial on the part of to constantly use airtankers and helicopters in spreading water to keep the soil and plants moist at all times. Conclusion Forest fires can occur anytime of the year because of natural and human intervention. Since forest fires can cause serious damages not only to the health of human beings but also the preservation of the ecosystem, it is necessary to constantly improve the implementation of southwest forest fire management strategies. In line with this, local fire departments in southwest should closely monitor and educate the people on how to effectively prevent forest fires. Because of the presence of excessive heat during summer on top of the current global warming, it is necessary for the U.S. government to allocate a portion of the government collected taxes in hiring airtankers and helicopters to spread water in the forest. By keeping the plants moist, it is easier to prevent occasions of forest fires due to excessive heat. In case of forest fire, it is necessary to immediately seek the professional assistance of aerial firefighters. With the use of fire retardants, aerial firefighters can easily stop the spreading of fires in wild forest. *** End *** Appendix I – Trend of Forest Fire in Southwest between the years 2001 to 2010 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 Fires 60,319 72,466 59,487 76,285 85,795 Acres 3,130,398 5,692,960 4,482,790 8,248,271 9,358,686   2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 Fires 54,896 62,347 50,874 68,505 64,491 Acres 8,221,597 7,833,175 3,185,469 6,715,713 3,282,174 Source: National Interagency Fire Center, 2010 Topic Sentence Outline Introduction Discuss Advantages and Disadvantages of Wildfire in Southwest. Discuss what is expected from the paper. Comparison between Past and Current Forest Fire Patterns Similarities between Past and Current Fire Patterns Analyzing Past and Current Forest Fire Patterns Describe Role of Dendrochronology in Studies of Past Fire. Causes of Forest Fires Forest Fire Management Strategy Importance of Public Teachings Significance of Aerial Firefighters Importance of Fire Retardants, Airtankers, and Helicopters in Preventing and Putting Out of Forest Fires Conclusion References Bond, W.J. and J.E. Keeley. "Fire as a global herbivore: the ecology and evolution of flammable ecosystems." Trends in Ecology & Evolution (2005): 20:387-394. "Firewise." 2010. Fire and Healthy Forest. 17 October 2010 . "National Interagency Fire Center." 15 October 2010. National Preparedness Level 1 (On a scale from 1 to 5) . 17 October 2010 . "US Forest Service." 2010 b. Outdoor Fire Safety. 17 October 2010 . "US Forest Service." 2010 a. Reducing the threat from fire: a personal responsibility in the wildland/urban interface. 17 October 2010 . "USDA Forest Service." 2010 c. Wildland Fire Chemicals. 17 October 2010 . "Virginia Department of Forestry." 12 August 2010. Causes of Forest Fires. 17 October 2010 . Total Number of Words: 1,083 Read More