Strong winds complicate the situation in a forest fire since, in addition to stimulating the growth of the flames and the spread of the fire, they prevent the takeoff and advance of helicopters and hydrant planes.
A forest fire is one of the disasters that causes the most destruction in nature. This expression is used to account for a dangerous and harmful reality that arises when forests , grasslands or plains catch fire. In this context, the flames spread quickly and uncontrollably, destroying soils, affecting air quality and generating unfortunate consequences for wild flora and fauna.
This problem can be triggered and exacerbated by some climatic factor or natural event. Drought (a phenomenon characterized by the absence or scarcity of rain ), combined with high thermal levels, increases the chances of fire development. Lightning strikes during a thunderstorm and volcanic activity are other natural causes associated with the start of an unplanned and uncontrolled fire that ruins land, destroys ecosystems and, ultimately, causes irreparable environmental damage .
However, the majority of forest fires are a consequence of human action (or inaction). The negligence of an individual (or more than one), as well as man's evil and desire for profit, also result in fires (intentional or not, which can be premeditated or arise from an accident or carelessness). Subjects who suffer from a disorder known as pyromania that drives them to set fire to a territory or element for pleasure, for their part, are other causes of catastrophes linked to fire .
Consequences of a forest fire
Regardless of how and where the fire started, every forest fire has negative consequences, some more serious than others.
Among the most common effects are degradation or erosion of the affected soil , air pollution from smoke , and loss of habitats . It should be noted that, in addition to causing the death of numerous living beings, fires influence the biodiversity of the burned region by devastating ecosystems and forcing surviving specimens to move in search of food and/or an optimal and safe place to live. settle.
It cannot be overlooked either that, by burning so many trees simultaneously, climate change is accentuated because the percentage of greenhouse gas emissions increases and the number of trees that, until then, were responsible for significantly decreasing. absorb carbon dioxide .
Of course, forest fires also affect the economy , public health and society as a whole because fire devours crops , damages agricultural land and causes significant material losses (of machinery, structures, homes, furniture, etc.); aggravates chronic respiratory and cardiac pathologies , irritates the throat, burns, injures different parts of the body and affects the brain; It destroys tourist attractions and discourages trips and walks linked to the burned area.
Forest fires erode the soil, contaminate, generate losses of living beings and can also cause serious economic and material damage.
Prevention and mitigation
Children, young people and adults have to be informed about fire prevention . Each State has to deploy strategies, through public awareness campaigns , education , environmental policies and urban planning projects, to minimize the possibilities of the emergence and spread of uncontrollable fires .
Collective awareness must be created to not make bonfires in wooded areas (or, if you do make them in an authorized area, put them out properly and remove the ashes to ensure that nothing is left burning) and not leave them on public roads or wooded paths. waste that could stimulate a fire (cigarette butts or matches not extinguished properly, fragments of glass or bottles exposed to the sun, flammable containers exposed to a heat source, etc.).
Both in educational establishments and in homes, we must also take care of fire education with the aim of transmitting and instilling, from an early age, respect for the environment and teaching how to act in case of observing or suffering a fire. fire . It is vital to instruct the entire population regarding the appropriate equipment (and the correct use of emergency devices) to extinguish the flames and to keep in mind the contact number to request urgent assistance from firefighter personnel .
In order to fulfill their mission efficiently and safely, forest firefighters need continuous training, training, special equipment that protects them from toxic gases and flames, and modern resources to prevent, detect and extinguish fires.
Forest fire brigades
Every May 4, tribute is paid to those who fight flames in forested territories through Forest Firefighter's Day . Forest and rural fire brigades are trained, both theoretically and practically, on fire management and emergency management in vegetation areas. In addition, they receive physical training and prepare comprehensively to provide support and assistance in emergency situations , offer social awareness talks , monitor wild terrain and form rescue teams for evacuation and search tasks in critical or dangerous contexts.
To take action on land, forest firefighters have clothing, footwear and special protection elements, in addition to having equipment and tools available for cutting and suffocation such as axes, chainsaws and shovels, among others.
From the air, on the other hand, the fight against fire is carried out with the use of seaplanes and firefighting helicopters .