CYSF

Presentation
Problem
Method
Research
Data
Conclusion
Citations
Acknowledgement
Attachments

How does WildFires happen/work

I am doing Wildfires because in Alberta our rank of wildfires are 2nd place of 1,210. Not only WildFires are dangerous but there is a thing to it, when the litter of the WildFire there is valuable nutrients in it that creates new trees with new growth.

Zaynab Syeda

Grade 6

Presentation

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Problem

Question, How does Wildfires happen in Alberta Why does it matter?

RationaleWhy do I want to do WildFires?

Why did I choose to focus on wildfires? In Alberta, we rank second in Canada for the number of wildfires, and they impact humans, animals, and our land in many ways. Most wildfires in 2024 were caused by human activity. However, some, like the Jasper wildfire in 2024, caused major damage and loss of homes but weren’t started by humans. I want to raise awareness about wildfires so people can be more careful and help prevent them.

While researching, I was surprised to discover that wildfires aren’t entirely negative—they actually have some positive impacts, too. This made me curious to learn more and investigate how wildfires can benefit ecosystems. Personally, I love taking road trips and exploring Alberta’s natural beauty. Places like Lake Louise, Peyto Lake, Johnston Canyon, Elbow Falls, and Cameron Lake all located outside Calgary, are surrounded by nature and are absolutely stunning. I’ve visited these places, and they’re truly wonderful. By raising awareness about wildfires, I hope to help protect these beautiful areas and better understand the balance between their risks and benefits.

Method

How are you conducting your research? How are you getting information? How are you making sure your information is reliable?

I start my Research using Google, they give me the answer. After writing the answer in my own words I click the link below. Browse through that page for 1-2 minutes. Copy Link and put it to my Log-Book. That is what I have been doing. Some sources I recognize like the The Alberta Health one or Alberta one in general. Or CBC NEWS, my school uses the child one. (trustworthy sources) The others I have to research about it. Like the Narwhal, I did research and Narwhal is a Canadian and has more than 6,500 members.

Research

Starting off

In 2023 93% was cause by lighting
7% from Humans in 2023
They get out of control really quickly/easily
As an example of 2024 in Jasper in South and North in the town was an Report of Wildfires, also did evacuation
Things that cause it in Man Made is fireworks, campfires, cigarettes, industrial activity, agriculture, powerlines, off-roads vehicle, ammunition (bullets and shells)

Fire Triangle

There are Elements in a Wildfire and they are Oxygen, Fuel (Oil), Heat. Also referred to as the Fire Triangle. Then by putting all of these elements together which makes a Chemical Reaction, this is called a Tetrahedron. A Tetrahedron (teh-truh-hee-druhn) is the best/specific way to call a pyramid.

The Positive of Wildfires

The Good thing is when a WildFire happens there is valuable nutrients stored/in the litter on the Forest floor.

They open the Forest Canopy to sunlight, Forest Canopy is the layer of where most of the crowns forest tree meet up and creates a thick layer. Crowns mean the Branches and leaves of a tree. When that happens it creates new growth. They allow new tree species. WildFires usually stimulate growth.

How fast they go

WildFires can spread up to 14.27 miles per hour

What areas they happen in

Wildfires are in Forest areas, grassland, and shrubland. A shrubland is a habitat that has the most common plants that are shrubs ( a shrub is also a bush). That is a small to medium never-ending woody plant. WildFires happen between April and September.

The impact to animals . the negative of wildfires

Some animals die in the fire of the WildFire .Mostly elderly and very little animals who can’t get out of it.

Human Activity in 2024 amount

Human activity in 2024 , 620 wildfires were caused by Human activity. While 560 wildFires were caused by lightning.

Ways to prevent from happening.

When you are selecting a campground,if you are at a campground , there are designated stoves, fire rings and fire pits. Avoid using sites that have dry grass near or heavy bushes , leaves, logs, peat area or over hanging branches.

Animals in Alberta

White-tailed deer
Mule deer
Elk
Bobcat
American Bison
Bushy-tailed woodrat
Boreal woodland caribou
North American river otter
Wood bison

And so much more

Japser Wildfire cause

How Jasper WildFire started, it was caused by lightning.

The Positive of wildfires

They help clear litter on the forest floor. Also recycling nutrients back into the soil/dirt, opens up gaps in the tree stands to nurture new growth. Kills invasive plants/species and forest pests.

The action that Alberta takes

The Action Alberta takes is using a combination of air tankers, helicopters and other air operations.

A Basic Fact

Burning debris can be thrown up to 2 kilometres ahead of a Wildfire.

WIldfire Season

Wildfire Season happens between March 1st to October 31.

Problem

In Alberta the Wildfires are historically high in the spring months after the snow melted and the moisture evaporated. Before Trees and grass had even started growing (green up).

Impact on human, the negative of wildfire

How Wildfires Affect our Health is Burning eyes , a Runny Nose, Coughing , Trouble Breathing.

Amount of them in 2024

The amount of wildfires that were in 2024 is over 1,210 Wildfires.

What a hectare is

Hectare means a unit of area measurement, 1 Hectare is 10,000 square meters.

Species Increasing and Decreasing (etc)

In 2023 across the whole province the species lost 3-6% of their habitats. The most burned part of Alberta is the Canadian Shield and the Northern Mixwood, about 1 in 8 species lost their habitat which is more than 10%. Various animals get affected. There were scattered effects throughout the province.

Woodland Caribou. Where most of them live, their habitat is burned. Lost 5.2% of their habitat. In the northern caribou range the losses of habitats were higher. 13.7% in the Caribou Mountains and 12.7% in Bistcho herds.

Greater effects for the Caribou is that the shrubs may quickly regrow in the burnt areas. Shrubs provide food for deer or moose. Bad part is that wolves can threaten them, making it at risk.

Increaser Species

Black-backed Woodpecker is a burn specialist. Woodpeckers live on insects (eat insects). Burnt trees are where they live. Their species increased by 12.9% from 2023 fires of Albereta, and 38.1% in the Foothills region.

Bicknell’s Geranium is a beautiful purple-flowered plant that thrives (grow/opportunities) in burned areas. Their seeds are strong, surviving in the soil for decades. Cope well with the after results of wildfires. The increase is 22.2% across the province and 50% or more in the northern , foothills areas.

Decreaser Species

Boreal Chickadees live in Alberta year-round (all seasons) using their spherical shape to survive the Alberta winters. These birds were predicted to have losses of 4.3% of their habitat because of 2023 fires. Losses of 7.5% in Foothills , 23.9% in the Canadian Shield.

Clasping Twisted Stalk, this plant produces red berries which makes old forests more motivated to create plants/etc. Loss of prediction is 5.8% of habitat loss. 8.9% in the foothills where it is most abundant.

Cause to Human Health

School closures and a threat to the health of millions of people. They mostly affect children,seniors and people with lung or heart disease (etc).

The blazing hot wildfires release dangerous levels of tiny particles in the air. This is an increased risk of problems that are heart disease, cardiovascular disease (kaar-dee-ow-va-skyuh-lr),lung cancer, and brain cancer.

The heavy smoke has an incredible impact on the Canadian healthcare system. Single week of a wildfire in June 2023 , the estimation of cost in Ontario was over $1.2 billion of health impact. Which were too early deaths, increase of hospital visits and health emergencies.

Poor air quality affects people such as those who work outdoors ,children, seniors, pregnant people, etc.

Smoke and more frequent wildfires make issues for people who have asthma across western parts in Canada. The after effects of climate-related floods and fires have an incredible impact on human mental health.

Wildfire does/can destroy homes and communities, ruin fragile ecosystems, and threaten economic security. All of these effects has been linked to post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and supersing suicidal thoughts.

The Alert system and the the Organizations

When a wildfire or an emergency happens they send out AMBER Alerts. The alert systems are on TV, radio, social media, and a compatible smartphone. Or the Alberta Emergency Alert mobile app.

Then various organizations in Alberta issue alerts that are based on the problem/emergency. Local authorities can handle floods,fires, and hazardous materials. Etc.

The Supplies you would need

The supplies needed for a Wildfire in Alberta are food,water, battery-powered or a crank radio, flashlight , extra batteries or a Weatheradio. These are the things you should include in your emergency kit.

Maybe more common animals

The animals up above are ok but these animals might be more common.

Wolves, grizzly bears, black bears and mountain lions!

Jasper Wildfire price of damage

The Jasper Wildfire was the second most expensive event in Canadian history! The damage was about $1.23 billion!

Data

Any numerical information you found?

In 2023 93% was cause by lighting
7% from Humans in 2023

WildFires can spread up to 14.27 miles per hour

Human activity in 2024 , 620 wildfires were caused by Human activity. While 560 wildFires were caused by lightning.

Hectare means a unit of area measurement, 1 Hectare is 10,000 square meters.

The amount of wildfires that were in 2024 is over 1,210 Wildfires.

Burning debris can be thrown up to 2 kilometres ahead of a Wildfire.

In 2023 across the whole province the species lost 3-6% of their habitats.

The most burned part of Alberta is the Canadian Shield and the Northern Mixwood, about 1 in 8 species lost their habitat which is more than 10%. Various animals get affected.

Black-Backed Woodpecker.Burnt trees are where they live. Their species increased by 12.9% from 2023 fires of Albereta, and 38.1% in the Foothills region.

Bicknell Geranium. It's a flower. The increase is 22.2% across the province and 50% or more in the northern , foothills areas.

Boreal Chickadees.These birds were predicted to have losses of 4.3% of their habitat because of 2023 fires. Losses of 7.5% in Foothills , 23.9% in the Canadian Shield.

Clasping Twisted Stalk. Loss of prediction is 5.8% of habitat loss. 8.9% in the foothills where it is most abundant (plentiful).

Ontario was over $1.2 billion of health impact.

In the Japer Wildfire of 2024 the price damage is $1.23 billion.

Conclusion

Through my research, I've come to understand that wildfires are not merely terrifying events; they also have positive aspects. In Alberta, wildfires are often caused by a combination of natural factors, such as lightning, and human activities. This interplay is explained by the "Fire Triangle," which illustrates the three essential elements for a fire: heat, fuel, and oxygen.

While fire trucks play a crucial role in combating wildfires, there are proactive measures we can take to prevent them. Learning about the impacts on animals and humans has been enlightening, especially considering the significant number of wildfires in 2024. Understanding both the destructive and beneficial aspects of wildfires is essential for developing effective strategies to manage and coexist with these natural events.