What are the short and long term effects of forest fires?

What are the short and long term effects of forest fires?

Extensive fire damage to trees can significantly alter the timber supply, both through a short-term glut from timber salvage and a longer-term decline while the trees regrow. Water supplies can be degraded by post-fire erosion and stream sedimentation, but the volume flowing from the burned area may increase.

What are the effects of fire smoke?

Inhaling wildfire smoke can cause throat irritation, wheezing, sneezing, coughing, runny nose, congestion, chest discomfort, eye irritation, and shortness of breath—all triggered by the tiny particles in the smoke.

What are the long term effects of smoke inhalation?

There is also the potential for chronic health effects from exposure to the components of smoke. Long term exposure to ambient air containing fine particles has been associated with increases in cardiovascular disease and mortality in populations living in areas with higher fine particulate air pollution.

Are wildfires short-term?

Wildfires can have immediate and long term effects on the quality of rivers, lakes, and streams. The most noticeable impact of wildfires is stormwater runoff. After the loss of vegetation, the ground’s soil becomes hydrophobic and prevents the absorption of water.

What are the short term effects of the California wildfires?

Short-term effects In the short term, those tiny specks of pollution can irritate the eyes, nose and throat and cause coughing, tightness in the chest and difficulty breathing, and even flu-like symptoms in otherwise healthy people.

What are effects of forest fires?

EFFECT OF FOREST FIRE loss of biodiversity and extinction of plants and animals. loss of wildlife habitat and depletion of wildlife. loss of natural regeneration and reduction in forest cover. global warming.

Does fire smoke make you tired?

High concentrations of smoke can trigger a range of symptoms from burning eyes, runny nose, cough, phlegm, wheezing and difficulty breathing. Those variety of health symptoms could make you feel lethargic, forgetful and less productive.

What are long term effects of a wildfire?

The effects of smoke from wildfires can range from eye and respiratory tract irritation to more serious disorders, including reduced lung function, bronchitis, exacerbation of asthma and heart failure, and premature death. Children, pregnant women, and the elderly are especially vulnerable to smoke exposure.

What are the long-term effects of wildfires on the environment?

It plays a key role in shaping ecosystems by serving as an agent of renewal and change. But fire can be deadly, destroying homes, wildlife habitat and timber, and polluting the air with emissions harmful to human health. Fire also releases carbon dioxide—a key greenhouse gas—into the atmosphere.

What are long-term effects of a wildfire?