professionals - wildfires - prevention part 3
TRANSCRIPT
E-Learning for WildfiresProfessionals
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
2
Wildfire Prevention – Part 3:
Impacts of wildfires and actions to prevent, protect and
limit the effects of wildfires
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
3
Fire BehaviourThis is the third part of the module on wildfire prevention . It will explain the following topics: • Impacts of wildfires• Lessons learned from
fatalities and injuries at previous wildfires
• Actions and activities to prevent, protect and limit the effects of wildfires
Source: Junta de Andalucía (Spain)
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
4
Impacts of wildfiresWildfires can represent a significant threat to:HUMAN S– Loss of life and injury to members of the public
including agencies involved in fire fightingPROPERTY - destruction and damage to housing and urban
interfaceINFRASTRUCTURE -disruption of access roads and utilitiesENVIRONMENT -Damage to crops, agricultural land , timber
production, destruction of natural environment , contamination of water supplies and potential release of carbon to the atmosphere
ECONOMY -Employment, financial loss and the resulting detrimental affect to the local community
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
5
Lessons Learned
One of the most significant impacts of wildfires is loss of life and injury. Wildfires can cause fatalities and injuries, both to members of the public and to firefighters.
The video on the following page is a moving tribute to wildland firefighters by the USDA Forest Service. There are a number of other specific tributes to firefighters killed in the line of duty at other wildfire incidents around the world.
Impacts of wildfires
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
6
We need to find out why people have died during past wildfires in order to reduce the likelihood of future deaths and injuries. This will help us learn what went wrong and why it went wrong.
It is extremely important that we study the causes of firefighter fatalities at previous wildfires By studying these tragic incidents, we can help ensure that firefighters stay safe at future wildfires.
We know there are some common denominators for firefighter fatalities, and we know these form analysis of previous reports.
Impacts of wildfires
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
7
There are a number of factors that have been identified as contributing to previous fire fighter fatalities at wildfires. There are also four common denominators that have been identified from analysis of previous incidents. These are:
Fires burning surprisingly fast upslope especially in re-entrants, chimneys and saddle features
Unexpected changes in wind strength and directionMost accidents occur on smaller fires or isolated areas at larger incidents Flare ups generally occur in deceptively light fuels such as grass and light
scrubland
Communication failures have also been regarded as a key contributing factor to a number of previous firefighter fatalities.
Impacts of wildfires
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
8
Studying case studies and reports into previous wildfires can help raise awareness of some of the common and uncommon factors and decisions that have contributed to firefighter fatalities, injuries and near misses. The following websites provide general information about firefighter fatalities and injuries in the USA:
• National Fire Protection Association (USA) - Top 10 Deadliest Wild land Firefighter Fatality Incidents• National Wildfire Coordinating Group (USA) Wild land Firefighter Fatalities in the United States: 1990-2006
Impacts of wildfiresFurther information about firefighter fatalities and injuries
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
9
The following reports and case studies from the USA provide more detailed information about specific wildfires involving firefighter fatalities, injuries and near misses:
• Yarnell Hill, USA – 30th June 2013• Salt Fire, USA – 29th August 2011• Thirty Mile Fire, USA – September 2001• South Canyon Fire, USA – July, 1994• Dude Fire, USA – 25th June 1990
Impacts of wildfiresReports into firefighter fatalities and injuries
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
10
There are also a number of video documentaries that have been produced on firefighter fatalities and injuries. A selection of these videos are included on the following pages.
Video documentaries about firefighter fatalities and injuries
Impacts of wildfires
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
16
During the previous module, you learned that fire behaviour at wildfire incidents can change rapidly both in intensity and in the rate of firespread.
It is necessary to understand how and why fire behaviour and rates of spread change in order to successfully:• Prevent wildfires occurring• Prepare for wildfires• Respond and suppress wildfires safely and effectively
Prevention
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
17
PreventionHow to prevent wildfiresThis next section of the module will focus on prevention activities. Prevention is better than cure. It is more effective to prevent wildfires than to simply respond to them when they occur. Prevention helps reduce the chances of a wildfire happening. This can be achieved mainly through education and outreach to communities, schools, conducting workshops, talks, tours, demonstrations, games, etc.Fire prevention can minimizes fire spread and therefore damage to the environment is limited
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
18
PreventionActive preventionActive prevention is the series of activities carried out before the wildfire season. It consists of preparing the landscape and acquiring or maintaining the equipment needed to combat wildfires such as vehicles, tools, uniforms, etc.Active prevention also includes the correct training of personnel ahead of the wildfire season.
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
19
PreventionIndirect prevention: DetectionDetection means the series of activities whose purpose is to discover, locate and report the presence of a fire to the Operation Centre.There are basically two types of detection:• Fixed Detection: Done mainly through the use of observation points and watchtowers.• Mobile detection: It can be done mainly in two ways: by land and air.
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
20
PreventionIndirect prevention: Detection
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
21
PreventionDirect prevention: Forestry activitiesThe most important silvicultural care when looking at direct forestry prevention are the treatment of the complementary vegetation through clearing or weeding and control of biomass through pruning and thinning of the vegetation.
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
22
PreventionDirect prevention: Forestry activitiesBREAKING THE HORIZONTAL CONTINUITY OF THE FUEL Mechanised weeding will take place at times that do not affect wildlife and before times of high risk of wildfires.Discharges of wastes (lubricants, fuel) during forestry operations that may increase the risk of wildfires must be avoided.
Service companies must have a waste treatment system.The accumulation of forest biomass susceptible to burn should be prevented so as not to adversely intensify wildfires.
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
23
PreventionDirect prevention: Forestry activitiesBREAKING THE HORIZONTAL CONTINUITY OF THE FUEL → CLEARING AND THINNING• Avoid intense thinning in areas exposed to strong winds. The mass becomes unstable causing an increase in dead biomass, increasing the risk of wildfires.
• Avoid silvicultural practices that foster the emergence of pests and diseases, such as the burning of waste in the hills and mountains or leaving branches with a diameter greater than 6cm on the ground. Operations that may increase the risk of wildfires must be avoided.
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
24
PreventionDirect prevention: Forestry activitiesBREAKING THE HORIZONTAL CONTINUITY OF THE FUEL - CLEARING AND THINNING
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
25
PreventionDirect prevention: Forestry activitiesBREAKING THE VERTICAL CONTINUITY OF THE FUEL → PRUNING• Plan ahead the time of pruning, according to the species, the
targeted use of the forest (timber, fruits, etc.) and the risk of fires and sanitary condition of the forest.
• Perform the pruning in stages depending on the growth of the tree.• Pruning should not be performed until the trees are 6 meter high or
10 cm in diameter at the trunk base.• Remove the lower branches up to 1/3 of the total height.• Use clean cutting tools that do not cause health risks and minimize
the area affected by the cut.• Eliminate forest residues, preferably by grinding.
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
26
PreventionDirect prevention: Forestry activitiesBREAKING THE HORIZONTAL CONTINUITY OF THE FUEL → PRUNING
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
27
PreventionOther direct prevention activities• CONTROLLED GRAZING: Animals can
be used to graze and consume vegetation to help reduce and maintain fuel levels. They can be used to keep fuel levels low or to remove fuel entirely to create control lines that can be used on the event of a wildfire. • Click here to access a video library
that provides further information about targeted grazing for achieving specific objectives (including fire management)
Source: Junta de Andalucia (Spain)
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
28
PreventionOther direct prevention activities• CONTROLLED GRAZING: Bringing animals to graze in areas at risk of
wildfires. The animals maintain the areas used as control lines in the event of fires ,by consuming the vegetation.
• CONTROL LINES: This method is used to control the fire, using existing or constructed barriers as well as the edges of the fire which are already extinguished..
• PRESCRIBED or CONTROLLED BURN: A planned and supervised burn carried out under specified environmental conditions to remove fuel from a predetermined area of land and at the time, intensity and rate of spread required to meet land management objectives. Prescribed burning is not currently permitted within all EU countries. Those countries that do permit prescribed burns often have specific legal restrictions concerning when and where a prescribed burn can take place. (European Glossary for wildfires and forest fires - October 2012 - 1st edition - EUFOFINET project )
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
29
In the UK, prescribed burning is controlled by:
• England - The Heather and Grass Burning Code 2007 • Wales - The Heather and Grass Burning Code 2008 • Scotland - The Muirburn Code
These codes provide guidance on best practice for prescribed burning. They include specific requirements that land managers should follow prior to, during and after completing prescribed burning. They also stipulate the time of year that burns can legally take place.
Prevention
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
30
For more specific information, click on the following links:
• UK Government - Heather and grass burning: rules and applying for licences • Welsh Government – Heather and grass burning• Scotland – The Muirburn Code • Isle of Man – Heath Burning Code 2010
Further information about controlled burning rules and legislation
Prevention
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
31
Further guidance and advice concerning prescribed burning in the UK can also be provided by:
• Upland Management Group• The Heather Trust
Further advice about prescribed burning
Prevention
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
32
PreventionHousing areas, dangerous installations and rural land for farminghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0evWba4gLYM
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
33
PreventionHousing areas, dangerous installations and rural land for farming• Prevention regarding power lines
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
34
PreventionHousing areas, dangerous installations and rural land for farmingPrevention and good practices in burning trimmings
It is mandatory in some areas to communicate to the competent authority before burning agricultural waste on forest land and surrounding areas.For an authorisation to be granted, it will be taken into account the risks and area burned.
Source: Junta de Andalucia (Spain)
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
35
PreventionHousing areas, dangerous installations and rural land for farmingPrevention and good practices in implementing the burning of agricultural and forestry residues
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
36
PreventionOther methods of prevention• EDUCATIONAL PREVENTION: Education at the school, dissemination of information in the media during the high risk season, Forest Policy, Enforcing the Law, etc.
The videos on the next page are from the USA and aim to educate members of the public to better protect their own homes from wildfires. Some of the videos relate to Firewise Communities, which is an extensive and successful programme across the USA. Click the link to find out more about Firewise Communities
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
41
Management of the landscape is an important wildfire prevention activity as it can help prevent large and destructive wildfires.
The Forestry Commission have produced a best practice guide on how to build wildfire resilience into forests. This document provides some useful guidance applicable to forestry and other open habitats. Click here to view a copy of the guidance document.
The videos on the next few pages highlight some of the key benefits of moorland management around the UK, including wildfire risk management.
Prevention
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
44
End of Module Summary
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
45
Now that you have worked through this module you should understand some of the dangers posed by wildfires.
You should also understand the importance of preventing wildfires from occurring.
End of Module Summary
Source: Junta de Andalucia (Spain)
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
46
We hope you enjoyed the module!
Please visit the next module which explains how to prepare for wildfires before they occur.
End of Module Summary
Source: Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service (UK)
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
47
This educational resource has been produced by the partners of the e-PPR Project (e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters) with the support of the Erasmus+ programme.
Unless otherwise stated, this educational resource is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. It is attributed to the partners of the e-PPR project. Further information can be found at www.e-ppr.eu
The authors are committed to respecting the intellectual property rights of others, and have taken all reasonable efforts to ensure that the reproduction of content (text, pictures, etc.) has been done with the full consent of copyright holders and that all copyright holders are acknowledged in such reproductions. If you feel that your copyright has not been fully respected, please contact us by email at [email protected].
If you are going to use parts of the content with materials whose copyright holder(s) is/are not the authors, it is your responsibility to make sure you do so, respecting the original holder’s copyrights.
This content is the sole responsibility of the project partners and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.
Copyright Statement