Californian fires

paul m · #1 (**permalink**) 24-10-2007, 04:10 PM

BBC NEWS | World | Americas | Wildfires force California exodus

Look pretty bad - do we have anyone in that area?

Not heard much about the effects on wildlife ... not good I imagine?

Guy F · #2 (**permalink**) 24-10-2007, 05:15 PM

These fires tend to have a very bad affect on reptiles and amphibians which can't get out of the way of the flames

Wildlife normally bounces back ok but it's still pretty devastating.
Guy

StuartDH · #3 (**permalink**) 24-10-2007, 06:07 PM

Looking at the speed of the winds out there, I'd be amazed if almost anything got out of the way of the flames. The most recent footage I saw on the news looked like the inside of a furnace.

Suzanne B · #4 (**permalink**) 24-11-2007, 11:42 AM

Does anyone know what the damage to wildlife was after these devastating fires and how it is managing to cope now?
I was just thinking when a disaster like this occurs it has a lot of media coverage at the time but then we hear no about it, which is so sad as the aftermath of these situations must be awful.
It would be nice to hear some positive news.
Suzanne

goosey · #5 (**permalink**) 25-11-2007, 11:53 AM

It's not good news I am afraid for the people and wildlife that live there - new fires were sweeping through the area yesterday.
More homes have been burned to the ground and there are mass evacuations. The fire, which is feeding on brush and trees along Malibu ravines and hills, is being fueled by the hot dry Santa Ana desert winds. More than 1,700 firefighters are battling the flames, along with 23 water-dropping helicopters from fire stations across southern California area.

paul m · #6 (**permalink**) 25-11-2007, 04:02 PM

Yes didn't look good, however, it's surprising what life can survive in deep forest litter - surprising number of toads, reptiles and insects survive by burying down into this - often the heat of the tree foliage singes the litter but doesn't set fire to it: the mass fire takes the oxygen so that the litter can't burn. The litter is also a good insulation from heat - as long as it's flash heat. Thus slow, mouldering fires are often much more damaging to the ground fauna.

It will be interesting to know, if anyone bothers to look ....

frostfire · #7 (**permalink**) 30-01-2008, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suzanne B

Does anyone know what the damage to wildlife was after these devastating fires and how it is managing to cope now?

USGS Release: USGS Scientist Reveals 2007 California Wildfire Impacts on Wildlife (1/9/2008 12:26:07 PM)

Doesn't seem to be much good news, lets just hope the research will help in the future...