Pollution From Wildfires

Beyond the clear danger to life and property in the burn zone, smoke and ash from large wildfires produces staggering levels of air pollution. It threatens the health of thousands of people, often hundreds of miles away from where these wildfires burn. The critical component of a fire’s smoke is so-called “fine particle” air pollution, which is a direct threat to human health even during relatively short exposures. 

The pollution levels produced by these wildfires are extremely high. It can potentially increase mortality in susceptible populations, like the elderly and those with heart conditions, with an increase of emergency room visits for asthma sufferers and others with respiratory conditions.   

Web Cited: "Wildfires & Air Pollution." A Hidden Hazard | Climate Central. N.p., 25 Oct. 2013. Web. 1 May 2015. 

- Jesus Perez

Modification on Habitat

In most cases, habitat modification poses a much greater threat to animals than the fire itself. Many animals are forced to move to other areas in order to find food and shelter when fires were to occur. The length of time animals are forced to move out of a burned area depends heavily on the size and severity of the burn, as well as the season during which the burn takes place. 

Some animals, particularly small mammals, will experience relatively large population declines immediately after a fire. However, other animals have also been known to return to a burned forest within only a few days. Some animals prefer and even thrive in recently burned forests. For example, the reduction in undergrowth and ground debris can expose small mammals making hunting easier for raptors. 

Web Cited: Weston, Dan. "Effects of Wildfire on Animals." Wildlife Risk Explorer. Institute for Natural Resources, Jan. 2000. Web. 01 May 2015. 

- Jesus Perez

Beneficial Forest Fires

The destructive manner of wildfires helps the environment and the forest’s habitat in a variety of ways. The intense heat of these fires strip the nutrients and minerals out of many burning plants, restoring the soil’s composition and creating amore fertile growing area for new species. 

Not only do they remove dead and decaying plants that act as fuel for future fires, wildfires also work to eliminate dense foliage and thin out the forest allowing plants closer to the forest floor to come in more contact with sunlight and rain. 

Webs Cited: "The Many Benefits of Forest Fires." GEOL 105 Natural Hazards. The Wordpress Experts, 13 Feb. 2012. Web. 26 Apr. 2015. 

- Jesus Perez

Wildfire Prevention

Every year, countless acres of forests are burned as most reports state that these fires are human caused. Lit unattended campfires and smoking are examples of major concerns as it’s a threat to the environment. 

Forest fire officials have encouraged people not to light grass fires or burn debris and be cautious of what can be disposable as burning dry grass in fields or yard debris can spread quickly to nearby forests. 

A way to prevent forest fires from happening, many landfills offer designated days when yard debris can be disposed of at little or no cost. Debris and anything that can ignite fire would be disposed appropriately as will not pose a threat or cause a hazard towards the environment and wildlife. 

Works Cited: "Forest Fires: How to Prevent It." Forest Fires Prevention. Borealforest, n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2015. 

- Jesus Perez

The “Big Blowup”

The first fire of 1910 broke out on the Blackfeet National Forest in northwestern Montana on April 29. This wildfire was known as the  "Big Blowup” as it caused devastating series of forest fires that swept over Idaho, Montana and Washington.  Official reports after the Big Blowup estimated that 1,736 total fires burned more than 3 million acres of private and federal land, consuming an estimated 7.5 billion board feet of timber. 

At least 85 people were killed and several small towns were completely destroyed as one-third of the community was burned. Smoke from the fires reached New England and soon traveled all the way to Greenland. Nationally, wildfires in 1910 consumed more than 5 million acres. The Lake States region saw its worst fire season ever with more than a million acres lost. 

Works Cited: Halm, Joe B. "The 1910 Fires." Big Blowup. The Forest History Society, July 2001. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.

- Jesus Perez

Inferno Disaster

On average, more than 100,000 wildfires clear 4 up to million to 5 million acres of land in the U.S. every year. In recent years, wildfires have burned up to 9 million acres of land. A wildfire moves at speeds of up to 14 miles an hour, destroying everything from trees, to homes and even humans.

These infernos occur around the world as it’s most common in the U.S. Forest fires are most common in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Washington, Colorado, Oregon, and California as these states contain heat, drought, and frequent thunderstorms that create perfect wildfire conditions. 

Works Cited: Melhurst, Jacob P. "WildFires." Forest-Fires. Natural History Museum, 6 Nov. 2011 Web. 15 Apr. 2015.  


- Jesus Perez