Nowadays, forest fires are on the front page of newspapers all over the world and one of them that has caught the most attention this year is the one that took place in the Amazon rain forest. It has caused a lot of concern in the heart of everyone because it alone provides 20% oxygen to the planet is the reason why it is nicknamed the lung of the planet. The disappearance of this forest will also bring about the disappearance of life on earth.

 However, what is a forest fire?

A forest fire, as the name implies, is a fire that spreads along a wooded area. This phenomenon can be of natural or results from the action of the man. It's the same process that happens when you light the fire. Remember that to light the fire you need 3 ingredients: fuel, fuel and activation energy. Vegetation is fuel, air and oxygen fuel and the slightest spark becomes a source of energy.

What are the causes?

As we said above, wildfires can be natural or man-made.

• Natural causes

When the temperature is high the rain becomes scarce then the water which constitutes the tissues of the plants evaporates, the leaves then become the fuel and the least spark like the lightning, the dry storms sets off the fire which ignites twigs, then dry grass, bushes, trees and finally, the entire forest. This temperature increase comes either from climate change, deforestation (destruction of trees by parasitic insects), a natural phenomenon called el niño/la niña (ENSO)*, a tornado of fire** (a rare phenomenon) or a volcanic eruption.

• Causes man-made

More than half of forest fires result from human action. Because of deforestation (destruction of trees by man) and climate change the temperature increases causing drought in the forests and the imprudence of men the slightest cigarette butt badly extinguished thrown to the ground, a barbecue badly masters, car accidents, electric wires can trigger fire.

In Brazil sites are affected by deforestation to be converted to farmland are causing fires according to experts. In the Amazon, as in other regions, the land is cleared by fire: it is the method of burning.

Why is this significant?

Forest fires have always existed. There are still forest fires in the Amazon but this time it's different, it's more worrying because more than 75 336 fires in the Amazon since January 2019, 84% more than last year. Brazilian policy does not protect plant cover and thus promotes deforestation to develop the country however deforestation and forest fire are closely linked. Today the Amazon is burning and we are all concerned because it is a world heritage, our survival depends on it so we must react.

What are some possible negative aftermath resulting from this situation?

It supplies us with air and water and provides essential ecological services, not only to local communities but also to all living things on Earth.

The negative consequences of the destruction of the Amazon are multiple and we feel all the consequences.

The first is the disruption of the rains. If it rains it is thanks to the trees that transpire the water evaporates creates clouds and falls in the form of rain then less there is tree less there is rain.

The second is the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere that causes global warming. The forest is thanks to its vegetation cover absorbs a large amount of carbon dioxide and provides us with more than 20% of oxygen.

More than 2.3 million animals died in the fire which is likely to increase the disappearance of several species hence the imbalance of the ecosystem.

What can be the solutions?

All is not lost we can still fix it and save the planet by:

Helping Brazilians protect the forest

Restoring the surfaces touches by deforestation.

Changing the agricultural model.

Fighting deforestation.

Remaining vigilant to prevent a new fire.

Practicing reforestation around the world to replace all lost trees and combat climate change.

The Amazon is our patrimony, let's save her!

source: futura-sciences.com 

*el niño/la niña (ENSO): is a climatic phenomenon it does not translate a rise of the temperature on the surface of the water (10 meters approximately) of the east of the Pacific Ocean, around the equator.

**a tornado of fire: a rare and impressive phenomenon, is a flaming whirlwind. These miniature tornadoes turned into heat movements by the strong winds. They eliminate burning plant debris and ravage the surroundings.