[Download] "Forging a Science-Based National Forest Fire Policy: A Comprehensive Policy should Consider All Aspects of Wildfire Management, Not Just Fuels and Fire Suppression." by Issues in Science and Technology # eBook PDF Kindle ePub Free
eBook details
- Title: Forging a Science-Based National Forest Fire Policy: A Comprehensive Policy should Consider All Aspects of Wildfire Management, Not Just Fuels and Fire Suppression.
- Author : Issues in Science and Technology
- Release Date : January 22, 2003
- Genre: Engineering,Books,Professional & Technical,
- Pages : * pages
- Size : 218 KB
Description
Large, intense forest fires, along with their causes and their consequences, have become important political and social issues. In the United States, however, there is no comprehensive policy to deal with fire and fuels and few indications that such a policy is in development. Fire is, of course, a natural element of many wildlands. Forests are accumulations of combustible organic matter that can be set ablaze by lightning, a lit cigarette or match, or even sunlight focused through a lens. First to ignite are fine fuels such as pine needles, leaves, and twigs, but as heat accumulates, the bigger fuels such as shrubs and trees start to burn. If fuels are sufficient and environmental conditions, especially wind, are suitable, the fire will torch, move into tall tree canopies, and spread from tree to tree, producing a crown fire. Many of the fires that raged in the western United States during the summer of 2003 and in previous summers have been of this most destructive type.