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(Goss, 2020)

How Wildfires Impact the Environment Report By

Jawad Safi
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Contents
Abstract................................................................................................................................................3
How Wildfires Impact the Environment............................................................................................3
Air Quality.........................................................................................................................................3
Water Quality....................................................................................................................................3
Drinking-Water.................................................................................................................................4
Plants and Animals............................................................................................................................4
Positive Impacts of Wildfires and Solutions to Wildfires.................................................................5
Conclusion.............................................................................................................................................6
References............................................................................................................................................7
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Abstract
Over the years, wildfires have been among the major topics discussed by
environmentalists. In many instances, its causes and impacts are discussed. In this paper, the
environmental effects of wildfires will be analyzed. A way forward of how governments and
other agencies should handle such occurrences will also be proposed. A thorough analysis of
the environmental impacts will be provided in the following sections, divided into
subsections discussing specific issues. In the conclusion section, a summary and way forward
regarding the matter will be offered since it acts as an aspect that reinstates the reason for
writing this material.
How Wildfires Impact the Environment
Air Quality
Many wildfires occur when forests burn, and during that time, large amounts of
smoke are released into the atmosphere. According to Jansen et al. (2020), wildfire smoke is
made of gases, water vapor, and microscopic particles. The constituents of the gasses emitted
by wildfires are generally less than what humans emit in a day. The term used to describe the
matter of smoke from wildfires is PM2.5 which is considered smaller than 2.5 micrometers
(Vasquez, 2022). Particles from such occurrences become challenging to filter from humans'
airwaves. Thus, they lodge deep in the lungs, which is a significant cause of respiratory
diseases in the long run. Such particles also result to stress in human hearts, leading to further
complications. Therefore, smoke coming from wildfires is dangerous and is associated with
air pollution, resulting in other conditions.

Figure 1: Image of Australia’s 2019-202 wildfire impact on the atmosphere (Vasquez, 2022)

Further, smoke pollution from fires that originate from forests travels a considerable distance
because they have much energy that pushes the smoke into the deep layers of the atmosphere.
In such cases, smoke hung around far in the atmosphere and spread to other locations. In
places like California and New South Wales in Australia, wildfires are extreme and have a lot
of energy. Therefore, the smoke is pushed into the deep layers of the atmosphere, and the
smoke is channeled to other regions by strong winds (Neale et al., 2019). The incomplete
burning of forests in the two areas has also been associated with the production of carbon
monoxide. The highest levels of wildfires are associated with causing diverse impacts on
human health. The spread of toxic gasses in the atmosphere contributes to considerable
effects on the atmosphere and the general environment.
Water Quality
Wildfires affect lakes, rivers, and streams' chemical, physical, and biological quality.
Noticeable changes in the impacts of wildfires are experienced for years and even decades
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after a wildfire occurrence. One of the significant impacts of wildfires is that they increase
storm water runoff (Neale et al., 2019). During wildfires, soils become hydrophobic; the soil
does not mix with water easily. In normal conditions, plants help slow the precipitation rate,
but the soil does not absorb water easily after the fire. The burnt scars resent on the soil act as
a pathway for debris and other sediments that are transported to the lakes, rivers, and other
water reservoirs (Vasquez, 2022). The nutrient concentration levels in water bodies also
increase due to debris channeled to such features. To a much greater extent, nitrogen and
phosphorus concentrations from burned foliage run into large water bodies and result in algal
blooms, which are associated with depleting oxygen in the atmosphere.
Drinking-Water
In 2017, a wildfire occurred near Biran Head in Southern Utah. The wildfire burned
over 75,000 acres of land and led to the displacement of 1,500 people from the local area,
whose more than 100 homes were destroyed (Vasquez, 2022). The incident in that region led
to contamination of the town's drinking water source since it was filled with smoke and ash.
At that time, culinary water was diverted, and water from that region was supplied from one
well. Scenarios like the above incident are becoming a common phenomenon in the United
States. As such, there has been increased erosion channeled to water bodies, including water
reservoirs, lakes, and rivers. An increase in wildfires compromises drinking water quality,
and the quantity is also reduced. Therefore, governments and other responsible agencies
should implement measures to control wildfires globally.
Plants and Animals
Wildfires have led to the extinction of specific plant species scenes. Some plants
cannot survive in such conditions (Pausas, 2018). Plants that are vulnerable and can
regenerate from seed are hugely impacted, and after they are burnt, such plants cannot
restore; thus, such plant species will not continue to grow. Wildfires also interfere with the
normal process of plants producing mature seeds; therefore, they die. Many animals that
contribute positively to the ecosystem are also brunt when fires occur in forests and other
areas. For example, millions of animals were killed in the 2019-2020 Australian bushfires.
Close to 100 species were threatened since the fire was massive and ended up chasing most
animals from their natural habitat. New South Wales has a large section of plant species that
can reshoot from their buds and are fire tolerant.

Figure 2: Impact of Wildfire to Forests (Vasquez, 2022)

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Figure 3: An image of an animal that survived after the wildfire in California in 2020

(Vasquez, 2022)

Positive Impacts of Wildfires and Solutions to Wildfires

Even though wildfires are associated with a large section of negative impacts, some of
their positive effects are as follows. One significance is that it encourages the growth of new
food for many animals. When wildfires occur in forests, it promotes the development of new
plants suitable for animals. Secondly, wildfires clear thick understoreys, thus reducing
competition for seedlings. The other significance of wildfires is that they heat the soil,
leading to seeds cracking and triggering germination (Vasquez, 2022). Wildfires also kill
insects and diseases, thus affecting the livelihood of plants and removing excessive debris
from forest floors that prevent plants from getting nutrients from sunlight. Further, low-
intensity wildfires clear bushes, thus allowing the prevention of future fires. Wildfires also
cause an increase in the natural order of species which allows a change to the ecological
system that supports life and guarantees a continual cycle of life.
There are many ways in which wildfires can be controlled. One of the innovative
solutions is by spotting fires using artificial intelligence. With the new technological
transformations, AI has enhanced the spotting of wildfires, and as such, several software can
be used to detect fire and alert responsible authorities. The second solution is by computing
the path of fire. Computation of the path of fire can be fulfilled by AI, which will track the
path of fire and also monitor weather conditions. Data from the analysis of different patterns
will help fire experts make effective decisions. The third solution is to use firefighting robots
which can be used to extinguish fires and reduce the damages caused by wildfires. The use of
drones is another solution that can be utilized to control wildfires and it works by helping
humans identify fire hotspots and facilitates dentification of fire victims in different places.
Virtual reality training is another solution to wildfires in the long run because it entails
training individuals for future occurrences. Thus, people are prepared to handle different
wildfire situations. The other solution is to reduce global warming by making amends to the
different human factors which cause a rise in temperatures which is a major cause of global
warming that causes wildfires.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, wildfires have different environmental impacts, from destroying water
bodies to growing new plant species. Reports about wildfires should be compiled, and
solutions to their causes should be determined. California and Australia are known for
wildfires in the form of bushfires. As such, its causes and impacts should be accounted for so
that similar occurrences can be minimized in the future. With the increased concerns about
global warming, wildfires have been on the rise, and it is upon all individuals globally to
reverse human factors and other aspects associated with causing wildfires. In general,
documenting the impact of wildfires is crucial and has contributed to reporting significant
elements associated with such occurrences. In the future, the focus will be placed on
eliminating wildfires since their negative impacts are more than their benefits.
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References
Goss, H. (2020). Finding Wildfire’s Fingerprint in the Atmosphere. Eos, 101.
https://doi.org/10.1029/2020eo139226
Jansen, P. C. P., Snijders, C. C. P., & Willemsen, M. C. (2020). Playing with fire.
Understanding how experiencing a fire in an immersive virtual environment affects
prevention behavior. PLOS ONE, 15(3), e0229197.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0229197
Neale, T., Zahara, A., & Smith, W. (2019). An Eternal Flame: The Elemental Governance of
Wildfire’s Pasts, Presents, and Futures. Cultural Studies Review, 25(2).
https://doi.org/10.5130/csr.v25i2.6886
Pausas, J. G. (2018). Generalized fire response strategies in plants and animals. Oikos,
128(2), 147–153. https://doi.org/10.1111/oik.05907
Vasquez, K. (2022). Australian Wildfires Linked to Ozone Layer Depletion. Eos, 103.

https://doi.org/10.1029/2022eo220176