WILDFIRE

Wildfire is a highly flammable composition, difficult to extinguish when ignited, formerly used in warfare. Wildfires occur on every continent except Antarctica. Fossil records and human history contain accounts of wildfires, as wildfires can occur in periodic intervals. Wildfires can cause extensive damage, both to property and human life, but they also have various beneficial effects on wilderness areas. Some plant species depend on the effects of fire for growth and reproduction


Many fires are started as a result of debris burning. Often these fires are rekindled, in some cases several days after the fire is thought to be out, when air temperature, wind speed and relative humidity come together to create conditions favorable for fires to burn and spread. Wildfires also caused due to lightning occur at a frequency of three to five per year. Since lightning is usually associated with rain, such wildfires do not spread over large areas. Very often, underground coal fires cause wildfires. Underground coal fires are the slow and
flameless forms of combustion, below the earth's surface. Such fires continue to burn for many years,
resulting in the release of toxic fumes and destruction of vegetation and human property.


Immediately put out all smoking materials and other open flames. Do not operate lights, appliances, telephones, or cell phones. Flames or sparks from these sources can trigger an explosion or a fire, if gas smells.

Wildfire

TORNADO

Tornado is a localized, violently destructive windstorm occurring over land, especially in the Middle West, and characterized by a long, funnel-shaped cloud extending toward the ground and made visible by condensation and debris. Various types of tornadoes include the land spout, multiple vortex tornado, and waterspout. Waterspouts are characterized by a spiraling funnel- shaped wind current, connecting to a large cumulus or cumulonimbus cloud. They are generally classified as non-super cellular tornadoes that develop over bodies of water.


Tornadoes form in unusually violent thunderstorms when there is sufficient instability and wind shear present in the lower atmosphere. Instability refers to unusually warm and humid conditions in the lower atmosphere, and possibly cooler than usual conditions in the upper atmosphere. Wind shear in this case refers to the wind direction changing, and the wind speed increasing, with height. An example would be a southerly wind of 15 mph at the surface, changing to a southwesterly or westerly wind of 50 mph at 5,000 feet altitude. The
intense spinning of a tornado is partly the result of the updrafts and downdrafts in the thunderstorm.


Some steps can be taken to protect from their destruction, but sometimes tornadoes are so powerful that even these steps can be ineffective. These are usually huge F5 tornadoes, and, thankfully, they are rare. Open the windows of houses to equalize pressure within the house. Basements or tornado cellars are the best shelters in case of tornado.

A Tornado