The images have already been horrific from the Texas panhandle, where a wildfire that began on Monday has already burned over 500,000 acres.
In comparison, there were 200,000 acres of land in Texas that were burned from fires for the entire year in 2023.
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Even though the center of the fire is well north, it could have impact on the Houston area. Smoke from the blaze could make its way further down the state, which could cause a variety of health hazards.
The blaze in the Texas panhandle come months after record wildfires in Hawaii and Canada, which has caused air quality issues around the world.
So, why have wildfires been such a problem around the world? Here’s a basic synopsis of wildfires, sort of like “Wildfires: 101,” if you will.
How do wildfires start?
A majority of wildfires — 85% to be exact — are started by humans, according to the National Park Service.
Whether it’s campfires that are unattended, debris that’s burned, equipment malfunctions, discarded cigarettes and acts of arson.
But weather is also a major cause, and seasonably warm weather has been one factor cited in how the wildfire started in the panhandle.
Wildfires all across Canada and in Hawaii were caused by abnormally warm and dry conditions, and high winds.
How are wildfires attempted to be put out?
There are three methods to trying to put out wildfires, according to BC Wildfire Service in Canada.
- Reduce heat. This is done primarily by water and initiating a water delivery system, since water cools the temperature of fuels and creates humidity that reduces the intensity of fire. This process can involve hoses or helicopter buckets.
- Reduce fuel. This is a common method that aims to stop the fire’s forward progress and cause the fire to burn itself out within a controlled area. Fuel in this case is defined as any combustible material in a forest, such as needles, twigs, branches, logs, grasses or roots. Firefighters essentially dig up these materials and create clear dirt paths to help stop the spread of fires. This YouTube video explains the process more in detail.
- Reduce oxygen. A big component of this strategy is to essentially smother a fire and cause it to evaporate that way. Fire retardants and foam are the most commonly used elements in this process, but water can also be used even though it evaporates quicker than fire retardants or foam. Retardants contain salts and fertilizer that can affect the burning process of forest fuels such as needles, twigs, branches and roots.
Any of the above firefighting methods can become extremely difficult when blazes stretch for a wide area or are in more obscure locations where they are hard to find and get to.
What are the environmental and health effects of wildfires?
In addition to destroying buildings and homes, wildfires can have negative lasting health impacts on humans and animals.
Smoke from wildfires releases toxic pollutants that can cause lung and heart damage, according to the World Health Organization.
Wildfires also destroy habitats for animals who live in the forest and releases large quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
When a large quantity of forestry is burned to the ground, that takes away trees that help absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, release oxygen, prevent flooding, and are key ingredients for medicines and other products such as paper.