Due to increasingly dry and unstable conditions in the
atmosphere, Western United States may face larger and more extreme wildfires in
the future. By using several regional climate models to simulate the changes mountainous
areas of the West may experience during August due to atmospheric conditions,
scientists learned that from 2041–2070 there will be more days with higher HI
(Haines Index) values and more consecutive days with high values as well. This
research shows that mountainous regions of the Western USA will experience
stronger and more frequent wildfires in the future. This hypothesis was also
proved by last year’s wildfire statistics- though there were only 6,948 fires
reported in the West (the second fewest amount since 2000), more acres were
burned (3.6 million) than in any previous year in that period. Wildfire season
has also been lasting for a longer period of time.
Some
possible solutions include having stricter control over other fire-starting
factors in the west (such as by using chemicals to induce more precipitation) as
well as learning to adapt to a naturally fire-prone environment. Some barriers
to these solutions are the unpredictability of some of these other factors,
opposition of or restrictions on experimenting on the environment in order to
find a solution, death, expensive fire insurance costs for those living in the
West, and inability to contain the fires.
My
personal opinion in this issue is that it is a serious matter in our country’s
environment and that it needs priority. Wildfires destroy many homes and lives
each year, and this natural force of destruction needs to be better controlled
if it is only going to get stronger. Wildfires are scary and damaging and I
really hope scientists can find a solution. I kind of like the idea of
increasing the precipitation in the area. The “learning to adapt” solution is
very important but it just sounds lame and wimpy. We should use science to fix
this, if possible. -
I agree that an in increase of wildfires in the West is a serious problem that should be addressed before another season of destruction can occur. A solution that was not brought up in the article but I heard the rangers at the Grand Canyon use to protect the forest is giving prescribed burns. Basically a controlled fire is lit that cleans up all the flammable underbrush that if ignited in a non-controlled situation could cause a potentially catastrophic wildfire. I wonder if this method of wildfire prevention is utilized anywhere outside the Grand Canyon area and if it would be a preventive step that could be implemented in high-risk forests. I wonder if most of the wildfires that occur are caused by nature or man, if it is the latter than I think by implementing an educational program promoting safe ways to light and keep a fire; or strengthening legislature on where and when certain fires can be lit would also decrease the number of wildfires that are lit yearly.
ReplyDeleteI have heard of the "prescribed burn" technique as well! My dad actually told me about it. It is indeed used outside of the Grand Canyon- in fact, they use it in North Carolina. I found this out by reading this article-
Deletehttp://www.cals.ncsu.edu/wq/lpn/statutes/nc/prescribedburning.htm .
This solution seems like one of the best prevention methods; I am glad you brought it up. Also, according to this website (http://www.nps.gov/fire/wildland-fire/learning-center/fire-in-depth/wildfire-causes.cfm), wildfires are mainly caused by humans, which I found surprising. I do not know if this is the case for the wildfires of the West or if it is just a general fact, however.
Thanks for commenting on my post, bestie!!!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete