2012 Colorado Wildfire

Aaron McCrary Language Arts 1/4 Natural Disaster Research Report February 28, 2013

Aaron McCrary Language Arts 10 March 2013 The Worst in History! This is the worst fire season in the history of Colorado, the governor of Colorado John Hickenlooperreported. The Colorado wildfires demolished hundreds of square miles of land and architecture. Additionally, the foundation of a wildfire needs an aggressive start and specific ingredients. Also, the damages of Colorados fires cost millions of dollars. Lastly, the Colorado wildfires began with a fiery start, affecting tens of thousands of residents and devastated hundreds of thousands of acres leaving people homeless and in dire need. Damage of the Fires Scorching hot flames burn down hundreds of thousands of acres in northwest Colorado; smoke stacks drown forests and a multitude of lives were lost. The Colorado wildfires happened between June 9th and early July of 2012. The wildfires happened throughout the state but specifically in the northwestern part. Also, Colorado was having the worst wildfire season in a decade. More than half a dozen wildfires were involved during the cataclysmic event. The 2012 Colorado Wildfire burning down a house. The fires destroyed over 600 homes, and the wildfires burned at least 202,425 acres or 316.3 square miles. The Fern Lake fire demolished over 3,500 acres; the Wetmore fire pulverized at least 2,100 acres. Furthermore, the fire burned natural materials creating gray and white smoke stacks to appear over Pikes Peak. Also, the wildfire in Waldo Canyon killed a

minimum of 2 people. Finally, the wildfires devastated northwest Colorado causing people to lose their homes or their lives. What Sparks a Wildfire? Sparks from falling rocks, volcanic eruptions, bolts of lightning, and ignitions without a flame, all wildfires need certain ingredients and an accelerated start. Primarily, a fire needs fuel, oxygen, and a heat source in order for a fire to start and maintain combustion. This is what people call the fire triangle. are human caused, by rocks other Although 9 out of 10 wildfires ignition sources include: being volcanic eruptions, and sparks Similarly, climate change can the The Fire Triangle climate causes the

triggered from

lightning, descending.

also result in wildfires. When temperature to rise, dead

leaves or other dead plant life

can spontaneously combust, or ignite without a flame. Leaves are able to spontaneously combust because they contain a highly flammable oil which vaporizes when heated by intense sun or heat which could result in a fire. Some examples of climate change are heat waves, droughts, and cyclical changes in climate such as El Nino; these natural events can increase the likelihood of wildfires. Secondly, wildfires are measured on an unnamed scale which measures the damage and rate the fire is growing. The scale measures a fire on five different stages, from category one to category five. A category one fire is incipient or initial. Category two fires are growing and threatening. Category three fires are major aggressive fires. Category four fires are major aggressive fires of at least 5,000 acres and expanding at 400 acres per hour. Category five fires are major very aggressive fires of at least 16,000 acres and expanding at 1,000 acres per hour or more. In general, all wildfires need an ignition source and certain ingredients for fiery results.

Aftermath, Cleanup, and Impacts Tens of thousands of evacuated citizens, hundreds of millions of dollars in damage, Colorados wildfires influenced the community dramatically. Over 11,000 residents had to evacuate their homes, and over 5,000 of them evacuated in Manitou Springs because the wind blew the smoke towards the city. There were 449.7 million dollars in damage total; Waldo Canyons fire did 352.6 million dollars in damages, and the High Park fire did 97.1 million dollars in damages. On June 30th 2012, the High Park fire was 100% contained. Later, on July 2nd 2012, the Fire Staff fire was 90% contained. Then on July 3rd 2012, the Waldo Canyon fire was 70% contained. Moreover, the Colorado wildfires impacted the community

because this catastrophic event burned down houses, trees, and other wildlife. Additionally, the Samaritans Purse team succored homeowners by removing debris and searching for valuables that can be salvaged. Along with them, over 100 The aftermath of the 2012 Colorado wildfire including: trees, vegetation, and houses

volunteers that helped the Samaritans Purse clean up the damaged property. In short, Colorados wildfires affected the community by damaging hundreds of millions of dollars in architecture and property and forcing residents to evacuate their homes. In conclusion, the Colorado wildfires were established with an igneous start that annihilated hundreds of thousands of acres, impacting tens of thousands of citizens which left the people homeless and in dire need. The damages of this disaster cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Furthermore, wildfires need vital ingredients and a furious start to begin and sustain

combustion. Last but not least, Incident Commander, Rich Harvey explained, The weather is making progress in a bad direction. Hotter, drier, with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Wind will shift from one direction to another.