Understanding How Dangerous a Wildfire Can Be
Wildfires are notorious for seemingly coming out of nowhere and leaving devastation in their wake. They are one of the worst things to see on the horizon, but even with this reputation, a big portion of the public is unaware of just how dangerous a wildfire can be. The destruction itself is incredibly heartbreaking, but these wildfires do so much more damage than you may even know about.
Obvious Destruction
The dangerous part of a wildfire that almost everyone understands is that the longer it lasts, the bigger the destruction will be. The longer these wildfires rage, whether it starts from a gender reveal party, lightning strike, or arson, the more homes, buildings, nature, and wildlife will disappear. However, even while this destruction is obvious and expected with wildfires, it doesn’t mean the loss is any less impactful.
Resource Disruption
A big part of the destruction that comes from wildfires is the homes and buildings that fall into disrepair, but the wildfires also disrupt important infrastructure the world relies on. In addition to bringing down these buildings that are important to people, wildfires will also damage, if not destroy:
- Farmland
- Transportation infrastructure
- Water supplies
- Communication networks
- Gas services
The entire community feels the impact beyond those damaged directly by the fire when all these utilities start failing. It takes time and resources to bring everything back to where it was before the fire, meaning the community at large, the city, the state, and even the country will feel the effects of the fire.
Environmental Impact
The other obvious consequence of these fires is their environmental impact. The clear consequence is the destruction of wildlife and wildlands, but fire and smoke can cause some extreme environmental damage. The smoke from these fires is full of hazardous pollutants, such as aromatic hydrocarbons and lead. This smoke contaminates the environment, spreading and releasing carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere along the way.
Dangerous Even for Firefighters
Wildfires are incredibly dangerous, and even wildland firefighters must take exceptional safety precautions. Their gear is one of the most important barriers they can have when they’re out in the field, but even this gear isn’t perfect. Wildland firefighters must avoid a few mistakes when wearing flame-resistant clothes, like feeling a false sense of safety when the clothes can only do so much.
These wildfires are unpredictable, and while this flame-resistant clothing is important, firefighters must still do everything in their power to keep their distance and avoid confrontation with the heat. These garments can protect the wearer, but if they get too close or get overtaken by the fire, their clothes are not enough to protect them. They’ll instead need to use their last resort, a fire shelter, to protect themselves for long enough that the fire moves away from their position.
While understanding how dangerous a wildfire can be won’t help you in your day-to-day life, you can better empathize and see the whole picture when it comes to these events. Understanding the devastation that these wildfires bring can also help turn you into an advocate, someone who wants to fight against these fires. You can help with community relief, become a volunteer firefighter, or just use your time and energy to fight against climate disasters.