The Dangers of Wildfires

• April5^th Wildfire in Gangwon Region, South Korea

Wildfires are blazes that are uncontrolled and rapidly spread by different types of weather, and wind, which burnt land by the acres and take over everything in their paths, in just a few minutes. Wildfires in forces of nature brings about huge devastation to humans and environment. 

On April 5^th, South Korea has declared a national emergency in response to one of the largest wildfires on record. It is believed the fire, originated from a spark at a transformer near “Goseong” in Gangwon Province, north-east of Seoul. Fanned by strong winds, it quickly spread through the mountain region which hosted the Winter Olympics last year, and to the cities of “Sokcho” and “Gangneung”.

The fires destroyed at least 470 homes, almost 200 warehouses, and dozens of farms, and killed more than 41,000 livestock. One person died from the fire and one was killed after being struck by debris.

Wildfires have many causes and consequences, and their primary causes are:

1. Humans 

90% of all wildfires are caused by humans; human acts of carelessness such as leaving campfires unattended and negligent discarding of cigarette butts result in wildfire disasters every year.

A worldwide study of smoking-related fire by epidemiologists reports that smoking is the leading cause of fires and deaths globally. There is an uncontrolled habit of people smoking while driving, walking or biking and after finishing they would just throw away the cigarette butt without completely putting it out. Smokers at times become negligent at extinguishing the cigarettes butts after smoking.

Wastes and trash are on several occasions burned to ashes as a way of reducing the accumulation of rubbish. What is left after burning the waste matter or trash is debris that burns slowly. The slowly burning debris can potentially set anything ablaze and start a wildfire because of the heat.

Natural causes account for about 10% of all wildfires. Nevertheless, wildfires occurring as a result of natural causes vary from one region to another depending on the vegetation, weather, climate and topography. There are only two main natural causes which are lightning and volcanic eruptions. 

Wildfires destroy the habitats and the intricate relationships of diverse flora and fauna, leading to the loss of ecosystems and biodiversity, leading to climate change and global warming. In addition, the huge clouds of smoke instigated by wildfires lead to massive air pollution. The high temperature caused by wildfires destroys almost the entire nutritive value of the soil.

Let’s pay attention to our actions and preserve the dear mother nature.

BENKHALDOUN KENZA

<Kenza.benkhaldoun@kangwon.ac.kr>