Forest Fires by: Promise Woods It’s a well known fact that forest fires are dangerous and have various causes and effects on the Earth. Learning about forest fires and the causes and effects of them could help you in the future, if you are ever caught in the middle of a forest fire. I'm going to help you learn about, prepare, and possibly prevent man made forest fires. First I will tell you about the causes of forest fires, then I will explain the effects of them. Lastly, 1 will fill your head with bonus knowledge about forest fires, also known as wildfires. Forest fires can occur because of unattended camp fires, discarded burning cigarettes, lightning, gasoline and electrical equipment. For example, “Unattended or out-of-control campfires, a discarded burning cigarette,” are examples of how a forest fire can ignite, from www.arborday.org/replanting/firecauses.cfm. A number of forest fires are caused by human related activities, and are fueled by leaves, pine needles, grass, logs, and branches. A detail from www.arborday.org/replanting/firecauses,cfm , “In addition to lightning, human-related activities start a large number of fires every year.” More evidence to support this idea, “More than 83% of forest fires in 2006 were started by human activities, accounting for the burning of nearly 4.4 million acres. However, lightning-caused fires burned more total area - nearly 5.5 million acres.” Cited from www.arborday.org/replanting/firecauses.cfm. Bad weather, such as wind, and thunder storms, contribute to the spread of the fire. Another example is, “Fuel- such as leaves, needles, grass, branches, and logs” can contribute to the spread of a fire along with, “Weather, including temperature, humidity, precipitation, and wind,” from www,arbord: ‘g/replanting/firecauses.cfm. Forest fires can be as helpful as they are harmful. These types of fires release nutrients that would otherwise decompose very slowly. These nutrients help the trees and plants, and enrich the soil too. A detail from www.amidst.alaska.edu/pdf/forest_fires. pdf says, “Forest fires can have harmful and helpful effects. For example, fires can release nutrients that would otherwise decompose very slowly. These nutrients are good for growth of some plants.” Forest fires also kill diseases and insects that prey on trees. Fires clean the forest floor of debris, and nourishes the soil. For example, “Fire kills diseases and insects that prey on trees and provides valuable nutrients that enrich the soil.” Cited from www, fire.ca.gov/communications/downloads/facts_sheets/TheBenefitsofFire.pdf. This allows nutrients to establish trees and make them healthy and strong. Fires also make space above and below for grass, herbs, and shrubs; ready to provide food and habitatspace for wildlife. To back up this idea, “Fire clears wildlands of heavy brush, leaving room for new grasses, herbs and regenerated shrubs that provide food and habitat for many wildlife species. When fire removes a thick stand of shrubs, the water supply is increased. With fewer plants absorbing water, streams are fuller, benefiting other types of plants and animals.” The same source provides, “Fire removes low-growing underbrush, cleans the forest floor of debris, opens it up to sunlight, and nourishes the soil. Reducing this competition for nutrients allows established trees to grow stronger and healthier.” More details from this source, “Fire clears the weaker trees and debris and returns health to the forest. Clearing brush from the forest floor with low intensity flames can help prevent large damaging wildfires that spread out of control and completely destroy forests. Under optimum conditions, when wildfires do start, the result is a low intensity fire that remains on the ground burning grasses and vegetation, but causing less damage to trees.” Cited from www.fire.ca.gov/communications/downloads/facts_sheets/TheBenefitsofFire.pdf. ‘Almost all forest fires are started by humans. To support this idea, “90% of all wildfires are started by humans.” A Wildfire is an uncontrolled fire, they often occur in wild, or unpopulated areas. The same source provides, “A wildfire (AKA forest fire or peat fire) is an uncontrolled fire. Wildfires often occur in (duh) wild, uncontrolled areas, but they occur anywhere and harm homes, agriculture, humans, and animals in their path.” There are two different types of fires, they are called surface and crown fires. Crown fires are spread by wind moving quickly across the tops or crowns of trees. They are more dangerous because they travel fast at extremely hot temperatures. Surface fires form on the ground or surface of a forest and can prevent crown fires that burn tree tops. The largest forest fire in recent history was in 1825. Some examples from http://www.amidst.alaska.edu/pdf/forest_fires.pdf say, “Crown fires are spread by wind moving quickly across the tops of trees. Running crown fires are even more dangerous because they burn extremely hot, travel rapidly, and can change direction quickly.” Another example from the same source, “Surface fires can prevent larger, more serious crown fires (large uncontrolled fires that burn many tree tops) from occurring.” A detail from www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-wildfires says, “One of the largest fires in recent history was in 1825 when a fire tore through Maine, and New Brunswick, Canada, buring 3 million acres of forest.” All supporting evidence is from www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-wildfires, numbers 1-5 on the list. ‘Now that you have read my essay I hope you can carry this information on with you so you can be prepared and informed about forest fires. I want you to remember that fires and very dangerous and consume everything in their paths. Almost all fires are started by humans, so remember to think before leaving your campfire unattended or dropping a lit cigarette. Wildfires are ok from time to time, they help give forest a new life but do remember, leave it up to mother nature and lightning. And if you are ever in the middle of a forest fire and you cannot evacuate, find a clear area for shelter and call the fire department.Five-Paragraph Essay Graphic Organizer Introduction This will become the first paragraph in your essay; fill this box out with at least three ‘sentences introducing your three main ideas. We all know that forest fires are dangerous and have various causes and effects on the Earth. Learning about forest fires and the causes and effects of them could help you in the future, if you are ever caught in the middle of a forest fire. I'm going to help you learn about, prepare, and possibly prevent man made forest fires. Body Each of these main ideas will become a paragraph in your paper. Express these ideas in Main Idea #1 (causes) complete sentences. Main Idea #2 (effects) Main Idea #3 (bonus info) Forest fires can occur from unattended camp fires, discarded burning cigarettes, lightning, gasoline and electrical equipment. A number of forest fires are caused by human related activities, and are fueled by leaves, pine needles, grass, logs, and branches. Bad weather, such as wind, and thunder storms, contribute to the spread of the fire; along Forest fires can be as helpful as they are harmful. ‘These types of fires release nutrients that would otherwise decompose very slowly. These nutrients help the trees and plants, and enrich the soil too. Forest fires also kill diseases and insects that prey on trees. Fires clean the forest floor of debris, and nourishes the soil. This allows nutrients to Almost all forest fires are started by humans. A Wildfire is an uncontrolled fire, they often occur in wild, or unpopulated areas. There are two different types of fires, they are called surface and crown fires. Crown fires are spread by wind moving quickly across the tops or crowns of trees. They are more dangerous because they travel fast at extremely with the landscape. establish trees and make _| hot temperatures. Surface them healthy and strong. _| fires form on the ground or Fires also make space surface of a forest and can above and below for grass, | prevent crown fires that herbs, and shrubs; ready to | burn tree tops. The largest provide food and habitat | forest fire in recent history space for wildlife. was in 1825. Details that support | Details that support | Details that support Main Idea #1 Main Idea #2 Main Idea #3“Unattended or out-of-control campfires, a “Forest fires can have harmful and helpful effects. “go% of all wildfires are started by humans.” #3 start a large number of fire every year.” (Paragraph 1 of and provides valuable nutrients that enrich the discarded burning For example, fires can cigarette,” (Paragraph 1 of | release nutrients that “A wildfire (AKA forest fire www.arborday.org/replanti | would otherwise or peat fire) is an ng/firecauses.cfm) decompose very slowly. uncontrolled fire. Wildfires These nutrients are good _| often occur in (duh) wild, for growth of some plants.” | uncontrolled areas, but (#3 of the list on they occur anywhere and www.amidstalaskaedu/pd | harm homes, agriculture, f/forest_fires.pdf ‘humans, and animals in their path.” #1 “In addition to lightning, “Fire kills diseases and “Crown fires are spread by human-related activities insects that prey on trees wind moving quickly across the tops of trees. Running crown fires are even more Weather, including temperature, humidity, precipitation, and wind Topography, or landscape of the area, as steep slopes offer greater potential for increased fire intensity and more obstacles for fire fighting. -www.arborday.org/replanti Lug/firecauses.cfm) “Surface fires can prevent larger, more serious crown fires (large uncontrolled fires that burn many tree tops) from occurring,” edu/pdf/forest_fires.pdf. soil.”(www.fire.ca.gov/com | dangerous because they ng/firecauses.cfm) munications/downloads/fa | burn extremely hot, travel cts_sheets/TheBenefitsofFi | rapidly, and can change tepdf: Paragraph 4) direction quickly.” #4 Fuel - such as leaves, Paragraphs 2-3 of “One of the largest fires in needles, grass, branches, £8. g0V/ recent history was in 1825 and logs i fact when a fire tore through ts/TheBenefitsofFire.pdf. | Maine, and New Brunswick, Canada, buring 3 million acres of forest.” #5 (All supporting evidence from www.dosomething.org/fact z wil ) “More than 83% of forest fires in 2006 were started by human activities, accounting for the burning of nearly 4.4 million acres. However, lightning-caused fires burned more total area - nearly 5.5, million acres.” www.arborday.org/replanti cfm) ConclusionThe Break Down on Ice Storms ES By: Camille Jones Ice storms are a type of winter storms. They can be very dangerous, especially when you are driving because the ice can cause the car to slip and slide. So during this essay you will see what causes, the effects and how to prepare for an ice storm. Ice storms are caused by freezing rain when it hits a thin layer of below zero air and then turns to ice on contact. When an ice storm happens. it starts as snow or freezing rain then hits the below freezing air and turns to ice. During an ice storm you should definitely stay off the roads because even a thin coating of ice can cause a lot of trouble. Ice storms have a bizarre effect. During an ice storm the ice is so heavy it splits trees and weighs down power lines. The ice also causes icy roads and many accidents so be sure to stay off the roads! The ice can also increase the weight of a tree by 30 times and that's a lot of ice so just think of what that could do to a power line or a car. ‘You need to prepare for an ice storm because you never know when it can happen. On February 4,1994 an ice storm hit Austin ,Texas,it was so bad all schools had to close because the ice was too bad to drive and it covered all the cars up. So always be prepared! You should keep survival items like food, water, flashlights and many other very useful survival items. because if you run out of food you might not be able to get out of the house to run to the grocery store. Keep warm clothes, because if the power goesout then you won't have any heat to keep warm. Also stay updated on the weather so you know what's happening or what's going to happen. While reading this essay | hope you have learned a lot about ice storms. You should have learned about the causes, effects, and what to do in case of an ice storm. Now | hope you are ready to witness one.Five-Paragraph Essay Graphic Organizer Introduction. This will become the first paragraph in your essay; fill this box out with at least three sentences introducing your three main ideas. Ice storms are a type of winter storms. They can be very dangerous especially when you are driving because the ice can cause the car to slip and slide. So during this essay you will see what causes, the effects and where ice storms occur. Body Each of these main ideas will become a paragraph in your paper. Express these ideas in complete sentences. Main Idea #1 (causes) Main Idea #2 (effects) Main Idea #3 (preparation) Tce storms are caused by | Ice storms havea bizzare | Carry survival items freezing rain when it hits a effect very freezing surface and turns to ice on contact. Details that support Details that support Details that support Main Idea #1 Main Idea #2 Main Idea #3 The raindrops move into putting ice on Keep survival items a thin layer of below everything in the area like food, water , freezing air allowing the | so heavy ice splits trees flashlights etc. ice to freeze on contact It begins as snow as it Icy roads and many Keep warm clothes just falls toward the ground accidents in case of a power out then turns to ice puts ice on everything in ice can increase the stay updated on the the area weight of tree by 30 ‘weather times Conclusion Repeat, using new wording, the most important ideas; the ideas that you really want your reader to remember.During reading this essay I hope you have learned what to do the causes and effects of ice storms. This was a informational essay on ice storms and Now I hope you are now ready to witness one.Patrich Donnelly Taunami Essay A100 foot wall of water called a tsunami is coming for you. You can see the water go toward the ocean, you hear roaring of water, people panicking and start screaming because they don’t know what do. But I will help. I will be discussing the causes, effects, and how to prepare for a tsunami. | will be using 3 sources to describe the causes, effects, and how to prepare. ‘The main thing that causes a tsunami is earthquakes and volcanos under water. A detail that supports this idea is that in one of my sources it says “tsunamis can be caused by under water landslides.”(National Geographic). Most tsunamis happen in the ring of fire where a lot of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions happen. The ring of fire is in the middle of the pacific ocean. Most tsunamis happen by earthquakes and under water volcanic eruption mostly in the ring of fire, that's where there epicenter is. Tsunamis are devastating walls of water that are pure destruction. A detail that supports this idea that I found in National Geographic is that tsunamis are the most destructive force on earth. Tsunamis can move as fast as a jet plane which could easily strike down a building even if it is only a foot tall. Tsunamis are series of waves that are most destructive closest to shore. The most destructive tsunami in recent years was in 2004. Now I will tell you how to prepare for a destructive force such as a tsunami. Before a tsunami happens you should have a disaster plan and have an evacuation route and know if you are in danger (National Geographic). During a tsunami follow instructions and evacuate immediately. After a tsunami you should help injured or trapped people, do not go into a house that is still flooded or with water around it. Open doors and window to help your house dry. In conclusion, Tsunamis are 100 foot walls of water. They are the most destructive force on earth. Be prepared. Tsunamis are caused by earthquakes and volcanic eruption in the ring of fire. We are not in danger of a tsunami. The reason we are not in danger because tsunamis can only travel 10 miles inland.Five-Paragraph Essay Graphic Organizer Introduction This will become the first paragraph in your essay; fill this box out with at least three sentences introducing your three main ideas. ‘A100 foot wall of water called a tsunami is coming for you you can see the water go toward the ocean you hear roaring of water people panic and start screaming because they don't know what do but i will help. I will be discussing the causes, effects, and how to prepare for one. I will be using 3 sources to describe the causes, effects, and how to prepare. Body Each of these main ideas will become a paragraph in your paper. Express these ideas in complete sentences. Main Idea #1 (causes) Main Idea #2 (effects) Main Idea #3 (preparation) ‘The main thing that causes | Tsunamis are devastating | Now i will tell you howto atsunami is earthquakes | walls of water that are pure | prepare for a destructive and volcanos under water. destruction force such as a tsunami Details that support Details that support Details that support Main Idea #1 Main Idea #2 Main Idea #3 ‘A detail that support’s the | A detail that support’s the | Before a tsunami happens main idea is that in one of main idea is that in you should have a disaster my sources it says national geographic said plan and have an “tsunamis can be cause by | that tsunamis are the most | evacuation route and know under water destructive force on earth, if you are in landslides.”(national danger(national geographic) geographic) Most tsunamis happen in| Tsunamis can move as fast | During a tsunami follow the ring of fire where alot | asa jet plane which could | instructions and evacuate of earthquakes and easily strike down a immediately volcanic eruptions happen | building even ifit is only a the ring of fire is in the foot tall. middle of the pacific ocean. Most tsunamis happen by | Tsunamis areseries of _| window to help dryAfter a earthquakes and under waves that are most tsunami you should help water volcanic eruption | destructive closest to shore, | injured or trapped people mostly in the ring of fire The most destructive | do not go into a house that that's where there tsunami in recent years was | is still flooded or with epicenter is. in 2004. water around them and‘open doors and your house. Repeat, using new wording, the most important ideas; the ideas that you really want your reader to remember. ‘Tsunamis are are 100 foot walls of water. They are the most destructive force on earth. Be prepared. Tsunamis are caused by earthquakes and volcanic eruption in the ring of fire.