E-Learning for WildfiresProfessionals

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Wildfire Prevention – Part 3:

Impacts of wildfires and actions to prevent, protect and

limit the effects of wildfires

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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)

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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PreventionIndirect prevention: Detection

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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.

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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.

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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.

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PreventionDirect prevention: Forestry activitiesBREAKING THE HORIZONTAL CONTINUITY OF THE FUEL - CLEARING AND THINNING

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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.

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PreventionDirect prevention: Forestry activitiesBREAKING THE HORIZONTAL CONTINUITY OF THE FUEL → PRUNING

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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)

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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 )

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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

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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

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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

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PreventionHousing areas, dangerous installations and rural land for farminghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0evWba4gLYM

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PreventionHousing areas, dangerous installations and rural land for farming• Prevention regarding power lines

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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)

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PreventionHousing areas, dangerous installations and rural land for farmingPrevention and good practices in implementing the burning of agricultural and forestry residues

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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

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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

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End of Module Summary

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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)

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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)

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