WILDFIRES
1. Context
2. Key Points
- The fires have had a particularly devastating impact on the town of Lahaina, a historic and culturally significant site on the island of Maui.
- The fires are believed to have been caused by a combination of factors, including dry weather, strong winds, and invasive plant species.
- Climate change is also likely to have played a role in the severity of the fires.
3. About Wildfires
- Wildfires, also referred to as bushfires, vegetation fires, or forest fires, epitomize the uncontrolled and non-prescribed combustion of plants within natural environments like forests, grasslands, brushlands, or tundras.
- These fires, ignited by various factors, consume natural fuels and propagate based on prevailing environmental conditions such as wind patterns and terrain features.
- Three pivotal elements must converge for a wildfire to thrive: Fuel, Oxygen, and a Heat source.
3.1. Origins and Causes
Natural Causes: Many wildfires stem from natural triggers, with lightning strikes being a prominent initiator. These lightning-induced fires often ignite trees, yet the subsequent rainfall tends to douse the flames, minimizing damage. Elevated atmospheric temperatures and aridity, characterized by low humidity levels, create propitious conditions for fire ignition and spread.
Man-made Causes: Human activities constitute a significant driver of forest fires. Fires ignite when a fire source be it an exposed flame, a discarded cigarette or bidi, an electric spark, or any ignition source interacts with inflammable materials. Such anthropogenic incidents can swiftly transform into destructive conflagrations.
3.2. Classification
Surface Fires: wildfires can primarily manifest as surface fires, advancing across the forest floor's surface layer, encompassing senescent leaves, twigs, and parched grass. The propagating flames embrace the surface litter, leading to a rapid spread.
Underground Fires: Underground fires, are characterized by low intensity, smoulder within the organic matter beneath the surface and the forest floor's litter. Often concealed, these fires extend several meters below the ground, challenging detection and control efforts. These covert fires, lingering for months, inflict substantial harm to vegetative cover.
Ground Fires: Ground fires, infiltrating the sub-surface organic fuels, transcend boundaries, involving duff layers beneath forest stands, Arctic tundra, taiga, and organic soils of swamps or bogs. The distinction between underground and ground fires isn't clear-cut, as smouldering underground fires can metamorphose into ground fires. These fires ravage the herbaceous growth on the forest floor alongside decaying organic layers, potentially annihilating vegetation. Ground fires simmer below the surface via smouldering combustion, frequently sparked by surface fires.
Image Source: CNN
3.3. Impact
Wildfires can have a significant impact on ecosystems. They can destroy vegetation, kill wildlife, and pollute the air and water. However, they can also have some positive effects, such as clearing out deadwood and creating new growth opportunities.
3.3.1. Negative impacts of wildfires
3.3.2. Positive Impacts of Wildfires
4. The Historical Significance of Maui and Lahaina
- Maui is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful beaches and lush rainforests.
- Lahaina was the capital of the Hawaiian kingdom from 1820 to 1845.
- The town is home to many historical landmarks, including the Waiola Church, which was built in 1832.
- The fires have caused extensive damage to Lahaina, including the destruction of many historic buildings.
5. Reasons for the Fires in Hawaii Been So Devastating
6. Measures that can be taken to prevent wildfires
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For Prelims: Wildfires, Hawaii, USA, climate change, soil degradation, vegetation,
For Mains:
1. Explain the causes and factors that contribute to the severity of wildfires. Discuss the positive and negative impacts of wildfires on ecosystems. (250 Words)
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Previous Year Questions
1. Comprehension (SSC CHSL 2020)
Direction: In the following passage some words have been deleted. Fill in the blanks with the help of the alternatives given. Select the most appropriate option for each blank. Forest fire always (1) ______ by one of two reasons-naturally caused or human-caused. Natural fire is generally (2) ______ by lightning, with a very small percentage (3) ______ by spontaneous combustion of dry fuel such as sawdust and leaves. (4) ______, human-caused fire can happen (5) ______ any number of reasons.
Select the most appropriate option for blank No. 1.
A. takes up B. happens C. causes D. creates
Answer: B
2. Match List - I with List - II and select the correct answer from the codes given below the lists: (UPSC CAPF 2015)
List - I (Volcano type) List – II (Location)
A. Shield Volcano 1. Indonesia
B. Composite Volcano 2. India
C. Caldera 3. Hawaii
D. Flood Basalt Provinces 4. Phillippines
1. A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3
2. A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
3. A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2
4. A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
Answer: 4
3. Recently, the USA decided to support India's membership in multilateral export control regimes called the "Australia Group" and the "Wassenaar Arrangement". What is the difference between them? (UPSC 2011)
1. The Australia Group is an informal arrangement which aims to allow exporting countries to minimize the risk of assisting chemical and biological weapons proliferation, whereas the Wassenaar Arrangement is a formal group under the OECD holding identical objectives.
2. The Australia Group comprises predominantly of Asian, African and North American countries, whereas the member countries of Wassenaar Arrangement are predominantly from the European Union and American continents.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only B. 2 only C. Both 1 and 2 D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: D
4. In India, the problem of soil erosion is associated with which of the following? (UPSC 2014)
1. Terrace cultivation
2. Deforestation
3. Tropical climate
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
A. 1 and 2 only B. 2 only C. 1 and 3 only D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B
5. The vegetation of savannah consists of grassland with scattered small trees, but extensive areas have no trees. The forest development in such areas is generally kept in check by one or more or a combination of some conditions. Which of the following are such conditions? (UPSC 2021)
1. Burrowing animals and termites
2. Fire
3. Grazing herbivores
4. Seasonal rainfall
5. Soil properties
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
A. 1 and 2 B. 4 and 5 C, 2, 3 and 4 D. 1, 3 and 5
Answer: C
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