2006-10-18 06:02:47 · 10 answers · asked by Ilooklikemyavatar..exactly 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
There are still forest fires because they are unpredictable and difficult to get to and control.
We have fantastic technologies that can locate the fires. However, their location may demand a long response time.
Forest fires are a natural occurrence. They were happening a long time before our large population was ... so large, and occupying vast areas of land. But nature will create forest fires also (lightning).
Forest Management is a science, but not an "exact science".
As our population grows, it moves closer to forested areas.
As our demands for natural resources grows with the population,
the possibilities of forest fires increase.
If you would study the Yellowstone Fire, you will find that our ability to extinguish most forest fires promptly ... was the reason for such a large fire.
It being so large partially because of "forest fuel buildup". Had there been several "smaller" fires over many years, the Yellowstone fire may not have occurred or been so severe.
Fire + forestland or range land, may worry many, but it is necessary.
The result will show; new growth, new food for animals, disposal of excessive fire fuels and, in many ways, a "cleansing" of the land.
We just hope that our friends and neighbors do not get hurt !
The Native Americans (American Indians) knew, if they burned some prairie lands, the buffalo would go to the "new, lush, fresh" grass that followed a fire.
2006-10-18 12:47:20 · answer #1 · answered by coloradoweed 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, if you didn't have a fire, then what would they surveil? There always have been and always will be forest fires. They're a beneficial and necessary event for ecological health. Of course the down side is the home that shouldn't have been built in the mountains anyway, will be burnt and the resulting floods from excess run off. Still they're not entirely a bad thing.
2006-10-18 13:30:02 · answer #2 · answered by Spud55 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are different causes to forest fires, the most common being lightning and human beings, either accidental or intentional.
Yes, there are excellent surveillance techniques today, but there is still the length of time between the discovery of a fire and the time it takes to coordinate manpower at the scene since oftentimes it's in a remote area that's hard to reach. It is this time period that sometimes allows a forest fire to get out of hand, thus taking longer to get under control and extinguished.
2006-10-18 13:08:42 · answer #3 · answered by dragonwing 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Forest fires are a natural occurrance in the wild. It is only through our "advanced" behavior of putting them out that they have gotten stronger and vastly more dangerous.
Think about it for a second... mother nature starts her own forest fires. It's called lightening. When we put these fires out we are allowing the brush and trees to grow more thick and more dense than they otherwise would have. So when a fire does actually occur for these more dense areas they are much more dangerous and spread much more quickly.
We should let forest fires burn themselves out. The only exception to this is when the fire is going to destroy homes or other structures.
2006-10-18 13:09:05 · answer #4 · answered by Telesto 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most fires are caused by lightning strikes. Never heard of any surveillance equipment.
2006-10-18 13:06:47 · answer #5 · answered by tumbleweed1954 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In dry conditions, a forest fire can spread very quickly. So even if it's spotted immediately, it can be well established by the time firefighters and equipment can get to it.
2006-10-18 13:08:25 · answer #6 · answered by injanier 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's what we get when we let bears play with matches. It's true. You can look it up. The National Forest Service is desperately trying to hide this latest quirk in bear behavior. That's the real reason why all matches and lighters have been banned in all national forests. Bears swipe 'em to toast bunnies over open flames. I heard this on Art Bell one night, I think. They also have pictures. You can see them if you Google "Bears + Matches".
2006-10-18 13:16:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they also have that for banks and security besides, they still have bank robberies.
surveillence equipment only help to spot fires; it doesn't put out fires. sometimes by the time they get there the fire may become too big or it may have gotten into surface deposits of peat or coal.
God bless,
gabe.
2006-10-18 13:22:15 · answer #8 · answered by gabegm1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some forest fires are caused by lighting that is natures way of clearing out dead trees and other unwanted stuff.
2006-10-18 13:28:37 · answer #9 · answered by wolf 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's just to big hun!
2006-10-18 13:06:43 · answer #10 · answered by pollywollydoda 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋