Complete information on various types of Natural and Manmade fires

Fire can be classified into two types.

1. Natural Fire-Wild Fire/Forest Fire

2. Man-made Fire

1. Natural Fire

Forest fires could be both natural and man-made. The forest environment is particularly susceptible to wild fires, which may be set off by erupting volcano, lightning or human carelessness. The risk of a naturally ignited fire turning into catastrophe each increasingly seen as a function of the degradation of the forest habitat. Crises caused by fires are compounded by such longstanding problems as rural poverty, technological constraints, and inefficient cropping pattern and used of forestland. Mounting pressure on scarce land and forest resources has led to rapid and massive deforestation.

Uncontrolled fires have contributed heavily to the depletion and exhaustion of natural forest. Like land clearing; they set in motion events that may result in permanent losses of bio-diversity, soil fertility and sustainable forest based production. They usually produce large tracts of eroded and weed infested lands, altering ecosystems and increasing vulnerability to natural hazards. Wild fires destroy timber and forage, disrupt animal habitats, deplete soil nutrients and diminish and area’s tourist value. Rapid run off from a burned over area can lead to local flooding and erosion of exposed soil. It can trigger landslides.

Fire Seasons

It is observed that during the summer season (April-June), the conditions become favorable for the fires to take place. This is mainly because the temperature during that period goes above 40º C, which makes everything so dry. Further the wind speed during this period is also very high, which helps the fires to intensify and spread.

Type and Reasons of Wild Fire

i) Natural Wild Fire

1. Sparks produced on account of friction of rolling stones or dry braches of trees.

2. Lightning during thunderstorms.

3. Fire caused by volcanic eruptions.

4. Sparks produced by steam locomotives near the railway tracks.

5. Sparks produced by pellets in the firing ranges of Army.

ii) Carelessness on the Part of Humans

1. Careless throwing of cigarette, bidi stubs, matchsticks by travelers and graziers.

2. Careless burning of firewood by passer by.

3. Carelessness in extraction of honey and other forest produce, suing lighted torches.

4. Negligence in campfires and cooking operation near camping grounds and fairs.

iii) Deliberate Cause

1. Concealing the illicit felling of trees.

2. Clearing the forest paths by the villagers.

3. Shifting cultivation.

4. Obtaining green flush of grass for grazing the animals.

5. Burning the pipe needles to clear the ground from carpet of needles.

6. Setting scores (by burning one another’s area).

Since there is a ban on feeling trees these days, only brunt and fallen trees can be allowed officially to be taken out of the forest, unsocial elements have a vested interest in the forest fires.

Factors Affecting Fire

I. Fuel

Surface area of a given volume of slash is responsible to determine the state of spread and resistance to control. Dense heavy fuels are late in igniting and burn slowly but produce intense heat and light. Flashy fuels ignite easily, burn rapidly and produce less heat. Fuels with less 10% moisture content ignite easily.

II. Aspect

Southern slopes, exposed to direct rays of sun are more vulnerable.

III. Topography

It affects indirectly and is related to wind behavior; Fire travels rapidly upslope and least rapidly down slope. Convection heating increases with increase in the angle of slope. Fire travels rapidly in narrow canyons and draws flames. It curls backwards into the fire at the top of slope.

4. Delay in onset of monsoon rains is also one of the causes of wild fire. Due to very low humidity and the dryness, forests are more susceptible to fires.

5. Wind dries fuel, supplies oxygen to fire, tilts the flame forward to increase radiation and convention and transports burning cinders and hot gases. The rate of drying and fire danger increases with increasing wind speed. Fire usually burns fiercely in the afternoon depending upon slope, relative humidity, wind and temperature.

2. Man-made Fire

The trend of rapid urbanization has led to increase in population in cities. As a result the pressure on land has increased, which has resulted in the overcrowding and unplanned growth in the cities along with serious fire risks. This risk has further been increased with the expansion of industries and construction of high-risk building. The fast pace of city life coupled with problems of stress in distress situations can lead to violent/destructive or careless situations. As a result, the risk of violence and higher damage during fire situation is real.

Every year, due to these fire incidents there is a tragic loss of life and property. It is observed that most of these incidents generally occur during the summer season as the temperature is high and the conditions become favorable for fires and other such accidents to take place.

Types of Fires

Basically Man-made fires can be divided into two types.

1. Intentional

2. Unintentional

1. Intentional: It is a deliberate attempt to harm a community or an individual.

a. Riots

Differences between people could result in arson and riots. Rioters often become uncontrollable and set fire to property. Fire in riots is thus responsible for a great loss of life and property.

b. Terrorism

Terrorists terrorize people by exploding bombs in public places due to which fires are caused with widespread damages. The recent horrific event of September 11, 2001 in New York was an extreme example of terrorist attack of unprecedented fury.

c. Suicides by burning and thereby causing fires.

2. Unintentional: This is not a deliberate attempt but often it happens due to :

a. Carelessness of Humans

b. Accidents

c. Violation of the safety Norms

a) Carelessness of Humans

A large number of incidents take place because of the carelessness on the part of concerned people. Even elementary precautionary measures to avoid fires are neglected or not taken in time due to carelessness. As a result a large number of people have to suffer for it. For example in ordinary households, the following types of carelessness are notice:

i) Carelessness on the part of housewives while cooking on stoves etc.

ii) Use of open flame lamps for lighting.

iii) Storing of explosives/inflammable material in a house e.g.-crackers, kerosene, gas cylinders.

iv) Smoking cigarettes in bed or throwing lighted ends carelessly.

v) Not keeping children away from fire goods.

vi) Burning of crackers during festivals and celebrations.

vii) Unsafe electrical writing/short circuit.

viii) Generators working on diesel, which can catch fire and explode if these become very hot.

b) Accidents

Sometimes accidents are also responsible for occurrences of fire. Accidents are caused either due to careless attitude of people involved or technical/mechanical faults.

i) During transportation of inflammable materials.

ii) Air crashes/Oil tank spillover

iii) General vehicles accidents, which can also catch fire.

iv) Explosions in industrial or chemical units

v) Gas leaks which can cause fires

c) Violation of Safety Norms

Absolute safety from fires is not attainable in practice but it can be avoided through certain norms or standards, which if not violated can reduce the danger to a great extent. An attempt at the national level is made under section IV of the National Building Code, which deals specifically with fire protection.

The Code in its different parts deals with safety from explosions and fires. It specifies the demarcation of fire zones, restrictions on construction of buildings in each fire zone, classification of buildings based on occupancy, types of building construction according to fire resistance, the structural components and other restrictions and requirements necessary to minimize danger to life from fires, smoke, fumes and panic before the people in the building can be evacuated. The Code recognizes that safety of life is very important and accordingly deals with various matters, which are considered essential to the safety of lives.