Impact Of Fire Research Articles

Evaluation of the Fire Impact of Cellulose-Based Indoor Building Finishing Materials According to Changes in Room Size Aspect Ratio

In modern society, the size of buildings tends to expand due to technological advances. However, while prioritizing performance design and specific building materials, fire research has fallen short of creating a comprehensive fire characteristic database for building materials. This study presents a plan for building a big data resource to evaluate the fire performance of cellulose-based flame retardant building finishing material in buildings of varying sizes. The three types of building finishing materials applied in this study are polyurethane foam, MDF, and cellulose-based building finishing materials. The variables were determined based on the floor area, and the change in floor area was calculated using the aspect ratio, a dimensionless number. Data analysis utilized the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) to determine the time required to meet life safety standards for temperature, visibility, and Fractional Effective Dose (FED). The results confirm a correlation between the safe evacuation time (ASET) and increasing floor area. Additionally, the study demonstrates that cellulose-based flame-retardant building finishing material effectively maintains safe evacuation times even with increasing floor areas, as evidenced by increases of 41.0 s, 13.2 s, and 97.5 s in temperature, visibility, and FED, respectively.

Fires in the face of climate change: Indicators of fire disturbance in heath areas – Inference from military training lands

Global warming significantly affects the frequency and intensity of wildfires in many fire-prone areas of the world and fire disturbance regimes are changing rapidly. Alongside this, controlled burning is often considered or implemented as an alternative method for nature protection. Here, we studied the post-fire secondary succession in dry heath habitat located in military training grounds to recognise the impact of fire on the effectiveness and rate of ecosystem recovery. We focus particularly on identifying indicator species for a given successional phase of Central European dry heath habitats and assessing their value for dating the last fire disturbance. The research involved 60 vegetation patches (plots of 25 m2), which were assigned to four post-fire age classes, namely: 1–5 years (Class A), 6–10 years (Class B), 11–15 years (Class C), and >15 years (Class D). In each study plot, species diversity and coverage of lichens, bryophytes and vascular plants were examined in addition to the physicochemical properties of the soil substrate. Cryptogams and vascular plants clearly differ in terms of the secondary succession pattern; specific sets of cryptogams correspond well to particular post-fire classes and are therefore good determinants of the post-fire succession stage. Spontaneous succession of plant vegetation eventually leads to complete recovery of the heath in a relatively short time. Nevertheless, great vegetation dynamics in the first years after a fire disturbance may result in seemingly different directions of succession. Post-fire classes did not differ noticeably in terms of soil properties, it follows that the effects of fire on soil conditions are negligible; though, a significant upward trend was observed for exchangeable form of K throughout the succession process. Our results indicate that sporadic fires reduce the undesirable overgrowth of heathlands or psamophilous grasslands and generally have a little negative side-effect on the ecosystem. The revealed succession patterns and defined sets of species characteristic for subsequent post-fire age classes are applicable to dating fire disturbances, regardless of whether the fire was planned or spontaneous.

Examining functional responses of ant communities to fire in Northwestern African afforested landscapes

In fire prone-regions, forest fires play a vital role in shaping animal communities, particularly for groups like ants strongly associated with vegetation and soil. While prior works on the impact of forest fires on biodiversity focused on taxonomic responses, there is a growing interest on exploring functional responses. This study assesses the taxonomic and functional response of ant species to fire in afforested landscapes (pine plantations) in northern Morocco. These landscapes are widely recognized as suboptimal for many taxonomic groups, suggesting a positive responses of ant communities to fire. Our specific hypotheses were: (1) increasing post-fire openness enhances the richness and abundance of ant species in burnt plots, and (2) fire induces shifts in functional traits within ant communities influencing their composition, potentially favoring species with adaptations suited to the post-fire environment. Our results reveal that fire altered the taxonomic (winner and loser ant species) and functional composition (higher functional richness in burnt plots) of ant communities. Burnt areas harbored a greater abundance of ant species adapted to open habitats, characterized by ground nesting habits, ground foraging, and a preference for readily available resources like seeds. In contrast, unburnt plots hosted species ideally adapted to denser vegetation, utilizing arboreal nesting and foraging strategies and resource niches in the canopy. Overall, we found that fire significantly shapes ant communities by promoting the arrival of species tolerant of open areas and capable of exploiting new available resources in the post-fire habitat.

The response characteristics and damage effects of large LNG storage tanks subject to the coupled effects of explosion shock waves and fire

As the demand and import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) increase, large LNG receiving stations are being constructed. LNG leakage can lead to fire or explosion accidents. The simultaneous occurrence of explosions and fires, often inevitable, is more damaging than the effect of a single load. This study utilizes finite element analysis software LS-DYNA and the ALE algorithm to examine the response characteristics and damage effects on large LNG storage tanks under the combined impact of explosion shock waves and high-temperature loads (with the explosion preceding the fire). The findings indicate that post-explosion, the concrete outer tank's compressive strength diminishes as temperatures rise. The dome deflection of the storage tank's external tank surpasses the standard limit at 400 °C and fails at 600 °C. This research identifies the critical failure mode of the concrete storage tank's outer tank under the joint impact of explosion shock waves and fire. It provides a foundation for the anti-explosion design of such storage tanks.

Shipborne observations of black carbon aerosols in the western Arctic Ocean during summer and autumn 2016–2020: impact of boreal fires

Abstract. Black carbon (BC) aerosol is considered one of the most important contributors to rapid climate warming as well as snow and sea ice melting in the Arctic, yet the observations of BC aerosols in the Arctic Ocean have been limited due to infrastructural and logistical difficulties. We observed BC mass concentrations (mBC) using light absorption methods on board the icebreaker R/V Araon in the Arctic Ocean (< 80° N and 166° E to 156° W) as well as the North Pacific Ocean in summer and early autumn of 2016–2020. The levels, interannual variations, and pollution episodes of mBC in the Arctic were examined, and the emission sources responsible for the high-BC episodes were analyzed with global chemistry-transport-model simulations. The average mBC in the surface air over the Arctic Ocean (72–80° N) observed by the 2019 cruise exceeded 70 ng m−3, which was substantially higher than that observed by cruises in other years (approximately 10 ng m−3). The much higher mBC observed in 2019 was perhaps due to more frequent wildfires occurring in the Arctic region than in other years. The model suggested that biomass burning contributed most to the observed BC by mass in the western Arctic Ocean and the marginal seas. For these 5 years, we identified 10 high-BC episodes north of 65° N, including one in 2018 that was associated with co-enhancements of CO and CH4 but not CO2 and O3. The model analysis indicated that certain episodes were attributed to BC-containing air masses transported from boreal fire regions to the Arctic Ocean, with some transport occurring near the surface and others in the mid-troposphere. This study provides crucial datasets on BC mass concentrations and the mixing ratios of O3, CH4, CO, and CO2 in the western Arctic Ocean regions, and it highlights the significant impact of boreal fires on the observed Arctic BC during the summer and early autumn months.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE INFORMATION PORTAL “KAZGEOWARNING” FOR FORECASTING FIRES ON THE TERRITORY OF KAZAKHSTAN

This article presents the development of an information system tailored for predicting and managing forest fires in Kazakhstan. The system's primary objective is to establish an information portal dedicated to fire forecasting, enhancing the accuracy of predictions and timely warnings. To achieve this, the system focuses on tasks such as predicting the likelihood of forest and steppe fires, monitoring environmental changes in real-time, and visualising the current situation on maps. It also generates comprehensive reports detailing fire risk, available resources, and necessary measures. Users will receive alerts about potential fire threats, facilitating rapid response. The system's data analysis incorporates geographical and climatic factors for precise forecasting. The ultimate goal is to significantly reduce the environmental and economic impact of forest fires in the country, emphasising the creation of a versatile platform for swift emergency response, integrating modern technologies into practical use. The practical significance encompasses improved fire warnings, enhanced safety for both the population and nature, and a reduction in economic losses. The accompanying website serves as a dynamic platform to collect, analyse, and visualise real-time data on disasters and crises, providing users with geographic information, maps, and reports crucial for making informed decisions during emergency situations.

Fire effect of steel bridge structure with consideration of leaked combustion fuel on asphalt bridge deck

In this paper, a fire load model is introduced for steel bridge decks considering asphalt pavement layers, aimed at exploring the consequences of fire arising from fuel leakage on the bridge pavement. Temperature data, mass loss rates, and radiation measurements from the pavement during fire tests are collected. The fire process on the bridge deck is categorized into four distinct stages, based on the mass loss rate. The temperature-time model is constructed by fitting the temperature data from the first two stages on the top surface. This model is then validated by comparing the temperature data obtained from various temperature-time load inputs with the experimental data from the middle and bottom surfaces. Additionally, a finite element numerical model is developed for a steel box girder bridge, enabling a comparison of different temperature-time models to establish the rationality of the bridge deck temperature-time model. Finally, the thermal mechanical coupling method is employed to investigate the impact of fire on the bridge's mid-span, revealing a close alignment between the simulation temperatures derived from the bridge deck temperature-time curve and the experimental results.

Determining the geographic distribution and ecology of the Critically Endangered Kaputar rock skink (Egernia roomi)

Context Knowledge of species’ distribution and habitat associations is fundamental for conservation planning and management, especially in the context of range-restricted taxa. The Critically Endangered Kaputar rock skink (Egernia roomi) is a high elevation species that is restricted to the Nandewar Ranges (New South Wales, Australia). The species was not formally recognised until 2019, with its distribution, ecology, and threats poorly known. Aims To determine the geographical distribution of the Kaputar rock skink and explore its ecology and threats. Methods We performed surveys throughout high elevation regions of Mount Kaputar National Park, targeting suitable habitat for the Kaputar rock skink (rock outcrops and plateaux). Species distributional modelling (SDM) was used to identify potentially suitable habitat outside of our search areas. Key results We detected the species at all historical record sites and at 15 new sites, increasing the species’ known area of occupancy (AOO) four-fold (from 8 km2 to 40 km2), and elevational range three-fold (from 1360–1480 m to 1147–1509 m). Conclusion The AOO for the species now exceeds the IUCN Red List threshold for Critically Endangered, but falls within the range for Endangered under Criterion B. Our SDMs indicated that all predicted suitable habitat for the species falls within the region that we surveyed in this study. Implications Our study provides valuable information on the geographic range of a threatened lizard species and evaluates the potential impact of large-scale fires on the persistence of the species.

Impact of fire severity on forest structure and biomass stocks using NASA GEDI data. Insights from the 2020 and 2021 wildfire season in Spain and Portugal

Wildfires have been progressively shrinking the C sink capacity of forest accelerating climate change effects on forest biodiversity, especially where megafires are recurrent and of increased frequency such as in the Mediterranean. Data from The Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) mission can inform on changes on forest structure to inform on fire impacts on vegetation. In this study, we assessed the performance of GEDI at measuring biomass and structural change from wildfires using the 2020/21 summer fire seasons in Spain and Portugal. The GEDI hybrid-inference method was used to calculate mean and total biomass in pre- and post-fire stages, while GEDI footprint data was further used to explain the fire severity classes derived from optical data. Our results showed the increasing impact of wildfires on biomass stocks and GEDI ecological metrics by increasing fire severity. More than over biomass stocks, severe fires substantially altered trends in structural metrics such as plant area volume density. The integration of GEDI metrics to explain fire severity had an accuracy of 52% considering five severity classes and an accuracy of 69% when considering the three main classes: unburned, moderate and high. Structural metrics from GEDI can be used to improve optical-based fire severity estimates used globally and to evaluate potential fire impacts based on time-series of GEDI tracks as showcased in the study, but also to measure forest recovery between fire seasons. The extension of GEDI is a major support for wildfire mapping efforts, integrated approaches to capture the increasing impact of fire on forest biodiversity and the monitoring of changes in carbon stocks.

Holocene vegetation, fire, climate dynamics and human impact in the upper Orkhon Valley of the Khangai Mountains, Mongolia

The Upper Orkhon Valley, located in the Khangai Mountains of Central Mongolia, is mainly covered by a forest-steppe ecosystem. This is an interesting area to study because its vegetation dynamics might have been influenced by climatic and anthropogenic drivers. This study investigates the dynamics of vegetation (pollen), human activity (pollen and NPP) and fire activity (macro-charcoal) from a lacustrine sediment core from lake Shireet Naiman Nuur, covering the last 7400 cal yr BP. The results of the pollen analysis showed a continual and constant decline of tree species in favour of the development of grasslands. Fire activity was more intense (high peak magnitude) during the mid Holocene, while it became more frequent but less intense from 5000 cal yr BP onwards, when herbaceous taxa became more present. The NPP analysis suggest that the study site was free of human activity from 7400 to 3500 cal yr BP, whereas the traces of the development of human societies that took place in the Orkhon Valley, such as pastoralism and grazing activities, have been demonstrated by the increase in coprophilous fungi and the Poaceae Cerealia-type pollen around 3200 cal yr BP, although its impact seems to have remained low.

Impact of Hill Fires on Dissolved Organic Matter in Watersheds of Karst Areas Based on Three-Dimensional Fluorescence-Parallel Factor Analysis

Hill fires have the potential to influence dissolved organic matter (DOM) in water bodies, yet fewer studies have investigated the effects of hill fires on DOM within watersheds in karst areas. In this study, we employed the three-dimensional fluorescence-parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC) method to analyze the DOM fluorescence peaks, component compositions, fluorescence indices, and sources within the water body of the Yuanteng River sub-basin, which was impacted by the hill fire, serving as our primary research focus. The results indicate the presence of three primary fluorescent fractions in the water body of the Yuanteng River: C1, resembling humic acid (fulvic acid); C2, consisting of biopolymers and microbial by-products; and C3, containing proteins such as tyrosine and tryptophan. The Yuanteng River exhibited elevated levels of humus-like substances, diminished concentrations of protein-like substances, and demonstrated higher biogenic, freshness, and humification indices compared to unaffected water samples, reflecting the impact of the hill fire. Elevated levels of exogenous humic acid-like inputs into the waters of the Yuanteng River, along with exogenous inputs of DOM, were primarily influenced by stable, high-molecular-weight organic matter. Additionally, agricultural effluent, domestic sewage, and anthropogenic activities contributed to these inputs to a lesser degree. The impacts of endogenous inputs are mainly related to the restoration of ecosystems. The occurrence of hill fires has significantly influenced the composition of dissolved organic matter in the waters of the Yuanteng River. A comprehensive analysis of the impacts of hill fires on dissolved organic matter in water bodies can serve as a valuable reference for characterizing DOM in the water bodies of the Yuanteng River. Furthermore, it can inform strategies for environmental protection, facilitate the traceability of pollutants in water bodies, and contribute to environmental and ecological restoration efforts following hill fires in the region.

An Exploration of Forest Fires and Post-Disaster Recovery

This study aims to explore the ecological impact of forest fires and the theoretical framework for post-disaster recovery. It focuses on analyzing the mechanisms of fire-induced damage to forest ecosystems and the critical factors in the recovery process. By systematically reviewing relevant domestic and international literature and integrating perspectives from ecology, environmental science, and sociology, this paper employs a literature review and theoretical analysis to delve into the causes of forest fires, their multifaceted impacts on ecosystems, and theoretical pathways for post-disaster recovery. The study begins with a review of ecological theories related to forest fires, examining the role and function of fire in ecosystem dynamics. It then explores the comprehensive effects of fires on biodiversity, soil structure, water resources, and climate change. Combining these insights with ecological restoration theories, the paper proposes key steps and strategies for post-disaster recovery, including vegetation restoration, soil repair, water resource management, and biodiversity protection. the findings indicate that forest fires cause direct damage to ecosystems and affect their long-term stability and sustainability by altering ecosystem structure and function. Effective post-disaster recovery requires consideration of the complexity and diversity of ecosystems, implementing multi-level and multi-dimensional strategies to achieve comprehensive ecosystem restoration and sustainable development. This study provides theoretical support and practical guidance for the ecological management and post-disaster recovery of forest fires, emphasizing the importance of scientific management and multi-stakeholder collaboration, aiming to promote the healthy development of forest ecosystems and ecological civilization construction.

Hydromechanical modeling of evolving post-wildfire regional-scale landslide susceptibility

Post-wildfire mass wasting is a major problem throughout many regions worldwide. Recent dramatic increases in global wildfire activities coupled with a shift in wildfire-prone elevation to higher altitudes raise the need to better predict post-fire rainfall-triggered landslides. Despite its importance, only a limited number of studies have investigated landslide susceptibility in areas hit by wildfires using hydromechanical models. However, most of these studies follow either qualitative or semi-quantitative approaches without explicitly considering the fire's effects on the impacted area's physical behavior. This study aims to develop and employ a physics-based framework to generate susceptibility maps of rainfall-triggered shallow landslides in areas disturbed by wildfire. A coupled hydromechanical model considering unsaturated flow and root reinforcement is integrated into an infinite slope stability model to simulate the triggering of shallow landslides from rainfall. The impact of fire is considered through its effects on soil and land cover properties, near-surface processes, and canopy interception. The developed model is then integrated into a geographic information system (GIS) to characterize the regional distribution of landslide potential and its variability considering topography, geology, land cover, and burn severity. The proposed framework was tested for a study site in Southern California. The site was burned in the San Gabriel Complex Fire in June 2016 and experienced widespread landsliding almost three years later following an extreme rainstorm in January 2019. The proposed framework could successfully model the location of observed shallow landslides. The model also revealed a significantly higher likelihood for slope failure in areas burned at moderate to high severities as opposed to unburned and low-burn severity areas. The findings of this study can be employed to predict the timing and general locations of rainfall-triggered shallow landslides following wildfires.

Post-fire structural changes in welded joints of unalloyed steels

In the article deals with the issue of the impact of fire on changes in the structure and mechanical properties of welded joints of non-alloy steel elements. The processes occurring during welding, affecting the obtained input structure and properties in the weld and in the heat affected zone, were analyzed. On this basis, a concise analysis of the impact of low- and high-temperature fire and the method of extinguishing it on changes in the structure and mechanical properties of welded joints of non-alloyed steels was made. Recommendations for conducting post-fire expertise of welded steel structures are included

Axial compression behavior of square steel tubes after artificial high-temperature cooling

This study focused on the impact of fires on steel-framed buildings and particularly emphasized the residual axial compression capacity of square steel tubes after fire suppression. To simulate fire conditions and observe the failure modes, high-temperature cooling experiments were conducted, residual axial compression capacity, and strain responses of the square steel tubes. The results demonstrated that the temperature and cooling methods significantly affected the residual strength. Below 700 °C, the residual axial compression capacity of the specimens cooled by water gradually decreased with the increasing temperatures, with a slight recovery at 900 °C. Conversely, as the temperature increased, the residual axial compression capacities of the specimens cooled with foam decreased. A simplified formula for calculating the residual axial compressive capacity of Q235 square steel tubes was proposed, and a finite-element model was established. This study utilizes simulation and parameter analysis to offer a framework for assessing the remaining axial compression capacity of Q235 square steel tubes after fire, providing valuable insights for their utilization in structural engineering and fire safety. This study aims to contribute to the reduction of economic losses and resource wastage caused by fires.

A MACHINE LEARNING BASED SYSTEM TO CLASSIFY FOREST FIRE PREDICTION FOR FOREST SAFETY

Forecasting forest fires requires the application of different techniques and instruments to evaluate the likelihood and potential seriousness of a fire starting in a forested region. Elements like drought, extreme temperatures, and human behaviors like bonfires, cigarettes, and pyrotechnics can all play a role in sparking forest fires. Various methods such as statistical examination, AI algorithms, and satellite pictures are employed to gather and dissect data on climate conditions, moisture levels, topography, and other factors that may heighten the chance of a forest fire. Models for predicting forest fires can furnish advanced caution systems to inform officials and locals of potential fire hazards. Predicting forest fires in the future is expected to decrease the impact of fires. This study focuses on developing a system for predicting forest fires, which calculates the likelihood of a fire starting based on various meteorological factors such as location (latitude and longitude) and temperature. The Random Forest regression algorithm was utilized to create this predictive model. Key Words: Forest Fire, Machine Learning, Temparature, Random Forest, Regression

Impact of Wildfires on Land Surface Cold Season Climate in the Northern High-Latitudes: A Study on Changes in Vegetation, Snow Dynamics, Albedo, and Radiative Forcing

Anthropogenic climate change is increasing the occurrence of wildfires, especially in northern high latitudes, leading to a shift in land surface climate. This study aims to determine the predominant climatic effects of fires in boreal forests to assess their impact on vegetation composition, surface albedo, and snow dynamics. The influence of fire-induced changes on Earth’s radiative forcing is investigated, while considering variations in burn severity and postfire vegetation structure. Six burn sites are explored in central Alaska’s boreal region, alongside six control sites, by utilizing Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)-derived albedo, Leaf Area Index (LAI), snowmelt timing data, AmeriFlux radiation, National Land Cover Database (NLCD) land cover, and Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity (MTBS) data. Key findings reveal significant postfire shifts in land cover at each site, mainly from high- to low-stature vegetation. A continuous increase in postfire surface albedo and negative surface shortwave forcing was noted even after 12 years postfire, particularly during the spring and at high-severity burn areas. Results indicate that the cooling effect from increased albedo during the snow season may surpass the warming effects of earlier snowmelt. The overall climate impact of fires depends on burn severity and vegetation composition.

Impacts of fire and prospects for recovery in a tropical peat forest ecosystem

Uncontrolled fires place considerable burdens on forest ecosystems, compromising our ability to meet conservation and restoration goals. A poor understanding of the impacts of fire on ecosystems and their biodiversity exacerbates this challenge, particularly in tropical regions where few studies have applied consistent analytical techniques to examine a broad range of ecological impacts over multiyear time frames. We compiled 16 y of data on ecosystem properties (17 variables) and biodiversity (21 variables) from a tropical peatland in Indonesia to assess fire impacts and infer the potential for recovery. Burned forest experienced altered structural and microclimatic conditions, resulting in a proliferation of nonforest vegetation and erosion of forest ecosystem properties and biodiversity. Compared to unburned forest, habitat structure, tree density, and canopy cover deteriorated by 58 to 98%, while declines in species diversity and abundance were most pronounced for trees, damselflies, and butterflies, particularly for forest specialist species. Tracking ecosystem property and biodiversity datasets over time revealed most to be sensitive to recurrent high-intensity fires within the wider landscape. These megafires immediately compromised water quality and tree reproductive phenology, crashing commercially valuable fish populations within 3 mo and driving a gradual decline in threatened vertebrates over 9 mo. Burned forest remained structurally compromised long after a burn event, but vegetation showed some signs of recovery over a 12-y period. Our findings demonstrate that, if left uncontrolled, fire may be a pervasive threat to the ecological functioning of tropical forests, underscoring the importance of fire prevention and long-term restoration efforts, as exemplified in Indonesia.

The impact of a residential fire on occupational engagement and performance: A reflexive narrative approach

Residential fires are a devastating and stressful life event. The high number of residential fires per year and significant associated stressors impacts all aspects of daily life. This reflexive narrative approach highlights gaps in inpatient and outpatient burn care for those who have suffered a residential fire from an occupational therapy perspective. The findings show that healthcare professionals need to consider social support systems, use therapeutic listening, provide stress management techniques and be advocates throughout the recovery process.

Do plants directly absorb nitrogen derived from deposition of wildfire smoke?

Biomass burning generates a substantial amount of smoke through high-energy combustion. This smoke is deposited into forest ecosystems either as aerosol smoke or as smoke-laden water in rainfall. The smoke contains essential elements like nitrogen (N) and other elements essential for plant growth and development. However, it is not well understood whether plant roots directly absorb the wildfire-derived N. An understanding of such a phenomenon is of significant importance in revealing the impact of forest fires on N input into forest ecosystems. Thus, this study examined the effects of different smoke concentrations on total N content in the soil and δ15N in plant and biomass production of Cunninghamia lanceolata seedlings under different cultivation methods using the 15N tracing technique. The main findings showed that smoke at a certain concentration had a promoting effect on plant growth, and the contribution of fire wildfire-derived 15N to soil total N was higher in low concentration smoke treatment than high concentration. After 180 days of cultivation, the wildfire-derived 15N content of various plant organs was higher for low than high smoke concentration treatment, and the content being higher for fine roots, where N absorption was enhanced in aeroponics-cultivated than soil-cultivated seedlings. The study demonstrated that plant roots directly absorb N from smoke and transported it to the aboveground parts for internal circulation. The effect of smoke on plant growth was concentration-dependent, with high concentration of smoke inhibiting plant growth compared to the control, while low concentration stimulated growth. The findings emphasize that smoke generated from low-intensity fires can have a positive impact on unburnt patches within the footprint of a fire through N deposition.