Recently, Oregon, Washington, and California have all been experiencing massive wildfires that have resulted in a horrific number of burnt acres and lives lost. While wildfires support the natural cycle of forest growth, they have been polluting the air and threatening homes. Read on to explore how wildfires start naturally.
Trees contain the same compounds as gasoline. When heated to approximately 150 degrees Celsius, wood cells break down and release gases full of hydrocarbons. When heated, hydrocarbons ignite easily and burn well. These gases react with the oxygen in the air and produce flames that can travel long distances.
Lightning is the primary natural cause of wildfires. Dry thunderstorms, thunderstorms that produce little to no precipitation at the surface, occur in dry conditions. When coupled with dry vegetation, which produces heat as it decomposes, lightning from dry thunderstorms are likely to spark wildfires.
Winds can blow sparks long distances, starting more fires and allowing them to burn greater areas. Wind can also produce more fuel for the fire by drying out materials in moist areas. Fires can even generate their own wind; because the air surrounding the fire is much warmer, it rises rapidly and this creates a vacuum at the surface near the fire.
While climate change is man-made, it is a cause worth mentioning. California has been growing hotter each year, which can be proven by the drier conditions in the desert and the droughts that are recorded every couple of years. It's no coincidence that climate change is directly connected to wildfires since fires burn more ferociously and frequently as the climate grows warmer. Climate change is a global issue that needs to be addressed by our world leaders as soon as possible, to ensure the health of our planet and the development of future generations.
Fires in moderation and away from human settlements can be amazing for the environment, as it is a natural process that allows forests to replenish. However, once they reach cities and towns, they can be incredibly dangerous and deadly, so it's important to stay inside and take safety precautions.
I hope you learned more about wildfires today. Stay safe and thank you for reading!
Written by: Ashlee Liu
References:
“Burning of Wood.” Burning of Wood, virtual.vtt.fi/virtual/innofirewood/stateoftheart/database/burning/burning.html. Accessed 16 Sept. 2020.
Leman, Jennifer. “Why Are There So Many Fires in California?” Popular Mechanics, 19 Aug. 2020, www.popularmechanics.com/science/environment/a29623250/california-fires.
“Science and Innovation - Forest Fires.” NRDC, www.borealforest.org/world/innova/forest_fire.htm. Accessed 16 Sept. 2020.
wow great article!