Why Forest Fires are necessary*

“Wildfires, when allowed to burn in areas where they do not impact human development, are regenerative for the forest, revitalizing for the watershed, renew the soil, and reset the clock for the ecosystem.”
Dr. Timothy B. Mihuc
Professor of Environmental Science

Wait what?

Yes, when wildfires are set up in controlled areas within forests and reserves they cause a whole lot of good and that is super important for forest survival!

THROWBACK!

Back in the ancient times studies show that our age-old ancestors relied on lightning most especially to strike the tall trees and cause forest fires.

This was important because the forest fires would make it easy for them to get coal that they would use during the cold seasons and even clear the land for them to keep exploring various ways to survive.

It was important for them and what seemed to be a blessing for them, was a very important natural phenomenon for the forest itself.

Today we explore this age-old secret!

Case Study: Lodge-pole Pines

In the conifer rich forest of North West America as far north as the Yukon and south to Baja California, Lodge-pole Pines constantly seek the sun.

The seeds prefer to grow out in the glimmering sun where all the perfect conditions necessary for growth are satisfied. As they grow saplings compete for height as each tries to get as much sunlight as it possibly can. Growing straighter and more rapidly than its neighbors.

Overtime all the generations of tall elegant Lodge-pole pines will form an umbrella like canopy that harms the future generations of the forest, as enough sunlight does not get to the young saplings below.

To combat this, Lodge-pole pines produce two types of cones.

Annual cones that are able to release seeds spontaneously, and Serotinous cones which are much harder and require an element like fire to trigger the release of the seeds. They have a thick shell that is waterproof and ensures that weather elements do not destroy its contents.

This type of cone is produced in thousands and many are able to survive on the tree for more than decades. This also ensures that cones that fall to the ground are stable and okay!

Lights, Fires, Action!

When these seeds fall to the ground and an element like fire raises the temperature of its overall surrounding. The serotinous cones are triggered and seed production begins!

But fire? In a forest? Devastating!

Not so much.

Once the forest is on fire in a coniferous forest. The forest fire flames are able to thrive by climbing the rich undercover of the forest with species such as Douglas Fir, a rich tree species that is able to thrive under the reach cover of the tall Lodge-pole Pines.

This allows the fire to climb up to the taller Lodge-pole Pines and this allows the forest fire temperatures to skyrocket well above 1,320 degrees Celsius. This is way above the 40-60 degrees Celsius required for the serotinous cones to pop open!

At such temperatures the cones burst and release millions of seeds that are carried away by the prevailing winds at the time. To open ground to form new forests.

The rich carbon from the trees and the new open grounds, provide a tonne of sunshine that is essential for the beginning of new life.

“From the death of the old forest comes the rise of another…”
Jim Schulz

Eco-Friendly Fire!

Without the existence of wildfires, key species of trees would disappear completely and so will the live creatures that depend on them.

More importantly, without forest fires, there is an intense growth of trees in the forest which induces a large amount of the fuels within it. This would lead to an even more catastrophic fire in the event that one was to breakout. This would destroy the forest completely and harm the lives of peoples property and lives.

This is why forest rangers and managers, often cause controlled forest fires in different forest regions that help reduce the fuel potency of the forests.

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is pretty simple.

All in all it is important to note that forest fires may be damaging but by understanding that they yield life and can indeed be controlled by the right measure. It is up to us to ensure we do all that is possible to ensure that we sustain the continuity of life and that we keep the even more harmful forest fires at bay.

#PRAYFORTHEAMAZON

The current situation in the Amazon Forest is an example of a devastating forest fire that has gone on uncontrollably for the last four weeks now. Below are some images and resources that will help you know and understand the current situation.

Let us join together, pray and support the biggest forest in the entire world! One of the most beautiful ecosystems in existence!