DISASTER READINESS

AND
RISK REDUCTION
(DRRR)

Submitted by: Jherpil Sid L. Estomata

Year & Section: 11 STEM A
Submitted to: Mr. Connabert D. Pojas
NEWS ARTICLE
https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/asia-pacific/indonesia/stories-
in-indonesia/fires-threaten-indonesia-s-biodiverse-forests/
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
 Forest fires aren't usually noticed by people until it becomes worse and
reaches the news. I can say that the forest fires in Indonesia are not the only one that
have happened. Congressional Research Service claims that over the past 10 years,
there has been an average of 67,000 wildfires annually and an average of 7.0 million
acres burned annually in the United States. That speaks a lot of how great this problem
is becoming And it also speaks of how we humans are messing up. Causes of wildfires
include volcanic eruption, dry climate, and lightning. However, the chances of these
events causing forest fires are slim. The forest fires are actually caused by humans.
U.S. National Park Service states that nearly 85% of wildland fires are man-made. The
most common human causes are discarded cigarettes, arson, sparks from an
equipment, power-lines, and improperly burning trash. This is still relevant because
according to Mongabay, most of the fires in Indonesia this year were set deliberately to
clear land for planting. The government never expected it to get so out of hand. Due
their negligence, admitted by the president himself on the part of the government,
clouds of toxic haze are now spreading around the country and compromising the
health of Indonesian families. Even though forest fires are dangerous and harmful,
there are some benefits that this phenomenon brings. National Geographic says that
the burning dead or decaying matter can return otherwise trapped nutrients to the soil.
Forest fires also act as a disinfectant, removing disease-ridden plants and harmful
insects from an ecosystem. Lastly, since it decreases forest canopies and
undergrowth, it can allow sunlight to reach the forest floor which helps a new
generation of seedings to grows.
In order to prevent or to mitigate wildfires we need proper forest management
practices, such as thinning and prescribed burning, can help reduce the risk of wildfires.
Encouraging people to follow fire safety guidelines, such as not leaving campfires
unattended and properly disposing of cigarette butts, can help fires from starting. Early
detection systems, such as fire lookout towers and aerial surveillance, can detect
wildfires before they come too large. Educating and preparing communities about the
risk and impacts of wildfires can help them respond quickly and appropriately. Clearing
vegetation around homes and other structures, using fire resistant building materials,
and ensuring adequate water supply can help protect infrastructure from wildfires.
Quickly responding to wildfires, with appropriate firefighting resources and
management strategies, can help minimize the damage and spread of wildfires.