When Wildfires are Necessary
You’ll hear a lot about wildfires affecting certain parts of the world more than others. Most of this comes from the ecosystem—the plant life around the area. Some ecosystems are fire-dependent, which means they need
some sort of fire to help create a balance.
If there hasn’t been a fire for some time, a massive fire can break out to balance the deficit. Alternatively, the ecosystem can change, and other species of trees and shrubs will move in. It’s possible to look back at fire patterns over the decades to see how your area has been affected. This will also offer you a chance to see the chances of a major fire in the coming years.
Fires Are Often Necessary
In the Midwest, the tallgrass prairies need fire. It isn’t an option to let another species move in and stay there. There are some other areas with similar vegetation that are the same. They need fires to happen every five to 10 years or the ecosystem completely changes and that has a knock-on effect on the wildlife.
If the fires don’t happen, the shrubs and trees will take over the grassland. This leads to a lack of vegetation for the livestock to eat as they are selective in their diets. The soil chemistry isn’t effective for the grasslands to continue offering the right nutrients to the animals.
The fires will take out the trees and shrubs that threaten to take over. They will also help with the balancing of the chemistry within the soil, making it perfect for the grassland to grow.
Managing Fires in Built-Up Areas
There are times that a wildfire can’t be allowed to burn for too long. In the Wildland Urban Interface, the natural fires need to be kept under control. There is too much of a risk to the houses and structures around.
This is also a problem for the wildlife itself. If the houses help the fire to spread quickly, it can end up in an area that doesn’t need the fire at that moment. The wildlife is put at risk.
Some fires can’t be managed at all. We’ve seen what can happen when wildfires get out of control. It’s essential to understand the wildfires and the types of ecosystems. Some areas need fire, while others will get away with them being suppressed and changed.