Introduction
Wildfires have been the major causes of dramatic changes in ecological conditions of many forests. Most of the causes of these fires are known to the public and the government. Therefore, they can be effectively controlled from endangering our forests in the future. In Washington, for example, many cases of wildfire have been evident especially in the recent years. These include; Carlton Complex Fire in 2014 and the Okanogan Complex Fire in 2015. The city has, in turn, responded with measures and risk management strategies to avoid such occurrences again in future.
Measures and Strategies taken by Washington about Wildfire
The city council and the Washington Departments of Parks and Wildlife have combined efforts to manage and avoid future risks of wildfires. The following include some of the strategies and measures that have been implemented;
a) To con
...trol camp fires. Many fires that are experienced in the forests are from camping sites. Thus, Washington together with Parks and Wildlife department are on toes to avoid camping fires. Many people who are camping in the major forests are being advised on where and how to lit fires.
b) The authorities have also aimed at preventing the fireworks around Washington. Those who need to conduct fireworks frequently are being advised to seek legal proceedings before their firework activities.
c) Many people who smoke cigarettes are also being urged to ensure that the remains of cigarette are properly disposed without any fire traces to avoid wildfires.
d) The Parks and Wildlife Department has also been strictly ensuring that people do not park vehicles on natural vegetation. The heat from vehicle’s exhaust pipe can cause the eventual combustion of natural vegetation and thus spread fire
to the wildlife.
e) The Washington City Council and the Departments of Parks and Wildlife have collaborated to install systems to control any wildfire that can occur any time soon. The systems include fire extinguishing centers with well-trained personnel and fire extinguishing equipment and materials among other resources that can adequately help in case of a wildfire.
Previously, the city was unable to control the enormous wildfires. As a result, wildfires would be left to burn and destroy huge parts of the forests and wildlife. Good examples include the 2014 and 2015 Washington wildfires. However, with the establishment of new system to deal with many causes of wildfire, Washington can now cope with wildfires effectively.
Negative Impacts of Wildfires
Fires cause many negative impacts where they occur. In Washington, fires usually lead to many bad results in wildlife such as;
1. Fire destroys the forest trees and other vegetations which are effective in controlling the air in the environment.
2. Fire destroys the forests and other vegetations which are the home and food for wild animals.
3. Wildfires cause the migration of wild animals from the forest leading to tourism decline.
4. They also burn the soil microorganisms, therefore, affecting agriculture.
5. Wildfires can also burn crops in the farms leading to food insecurity.
6. Fires can cause climate change leading to rapid fall in the amount of rains.
7. They can also cause severe soil erosion through burning the vegetation cover. This leaves the soil bear and susceptible for wind and water erosion.
Positive Impacts of Wildfires
However, there is a couple of positive impacts which are as a result of wildfires. These include:
1. They control predators and pests from harming human beings and food crops. Wildfires
lead these pests and predators away from human settlements or farms.
2. Fires also burn the diseases causing microorganism in the soil. This eventually leads to better agricultural performance.
3. Fires can be an easy way to clear a part of land for estates or large scale farming.
Why we are after Controlling Natural Fires
Many times, people are only worried about the wildfires. This is because; these fires are enormous and they can burn huge areas and as well as cause adverse environmental effects. Thus, we are always geared to controlling any occurrence of natural fires in the future. Since some of the causes of these fires involve human activities, then it is possible for the government through states’ authorities to control these fires.
References
- Odiyi, B. O., & Eniola, A. O. (2015). The Effect of Simulated Acid Rain on Plant Growth Component of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) L. Walps. Jordan Journal of Biological Sciences, 8(1).
- Rosi-Marshall, E. J., Bernhardt, E. S., Buso, D. C., Driscoll, C. T., & Likens, G. E. (2016). Acid rain mitigation experiment shifts a forested watershed from a net sink to a net source of nitrogen. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 201607287.
- Wu, J., Liang, G., Hui, D., Deng, Q., Xiong, X., Qiu, Q., ... & Zhang, D. (2016). Prolonged acid rain facilitates soil organic carbon accumulation in a mature forest in Southern China. Science of the Total Environment, 544, 94-102.
