The document discusses the devastating Big Burn forest fire of 1910 in the United States. It was sparked by severe lightning storms in Montana and Idaho and spread rapidly due to high winds, burning over 3 million acres and causing 86 deaths and billions in property damage. The fire overwhelmed resources until a cold front brought rain and snow to extinguish it. The impacts of such large wildfires include loss of wildlife habitat, increased soil erosion, and water and air pollution.

1. Forest fires
Group no: 14
EM
Self
Learning
Evaluation

2. Disaster
• A Disaster is a serious problem occurring over a short or
long period of time that causes widespread human,
material, economic or environmental loss which exceeds
the ability of the affected community or society to cope
using its own resources.
• Disasters are routinely divided into either "natural
disasters" caused by natural hazards or "human-instigated
disasters" caused from anthropogenic hazards.
• Natural Disasters include Tornadoes and Severe Storms,
Hurricanes, Floods, Wildfires, Earthquakes, Drought.
• Human-instigated disasters are crime, arson, civil
disorder, terrorism, war, biological/chemical threat, cyber-
attacks, etc.
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3. THE BIG BURN, Forest fire
• Forest fire refers to a typical wildfire that causes havoc in
a forest.
• The Big Blowup of 1910, also known as the Big Burn, was
a devastating forest fire that burned 3 million acres in
western Montana and northern Idaho, USA, between
August 20 and 23, 1910.
• Severe lightning storms sparked a slew of fires in the
mountainous forest region straddling Montana and Idaho.
• Winds gusting up to 70 miles per hour whipped the flames
into a frenzy as individual fires coalesced to form a
massive conflagration.
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4. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Lithosphere
It may burn all the flora -
plants and trees - in the
region, which may render the
soil loose and increase soil
erosion.
Hydrosphere
Rainstorms flush vast
quantities of ash, sediment,
nutrients and contaminants
into streams, rivers, and
downstream reservoirs
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5. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Atmosphere
Wildfires affect atmosphere
by releasing large quantities
of carbon dioxide, carbon
monoxide and fine
particulate matter
Biosphere
A forest fire could affect the
biosphere by less oxygen in
the air and that would make
it hard for humans to breath
affecting the climate.
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6. Statistics
REPORT DATE AUGUST 20, 1910
CAUSE NATURAL (Lightning)
SIZE 3 MILLION ACRES
DEATH TOLL 86
LOSS OF PROPERTY 3 BILLION WORTH OF TIMBER
FUEL TIMBER
DESTRUCTION 7 TOWNS DESTROYED
LOCATION IDAHO, MONTANA
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7. Parties Involved
1. United States Forest Service: It employed approximately
4,000 firefighters to fight the fires.
2. Military: With the help of military reinforcements, the
Forest Service appeared to have the situation under
control.
3. President: A group of politicians argued that fires were a
necessary part of forest ecology but, President Roosevelt's
conservationists argued that fires served no purpose and
should be completely avoided.
4. Citizens: The residents of Idaho and Montana had to
evacuate their homes and city as it was in the direct path
of the fires.
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8. Measures taken
• The United States Forest Service, established by President
Theodore Roosevelt in 1905, employed approximately
4,000 firefighters to fight the fires
• Military was deployed to assist the firefighters in
controlling the fires.
• With fires popping up the federal government’s resources
were stretched to the breaking point.
• There was no stopping or containing the fire; one could
only hope to avoid it.
• The fire was finally extinguished when another cold front
swept in, bringing steady rain and some early snowfall.
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9. Recommendations from our
group's POV
• 1. Report unattended fires: If you are ever out and about
and notice a fire that is burning out of control or is
unattended, immediately call your local fire department
• 2. Extinguish fire pits and campfires when done: A
fire should never be left unattended make sure you
completely extinguish it.
• 3. Don't throw lit cigarettes out of your moving
car: Many wildfires can start by carelessly flicking a
cigarette butt on the ground, especially during
dangerously dry conditions
• 4. Pay attention to the risk of forest fires in your
area: Always check the local forecast to learn about fire
safety alerts.
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10. Group 14 :
 Karishma Ahuja 013
 Prince babel 018
 Ronit khanwani 115
 Mahek Mahtani 129
 Dipti Motwani 142
 Kashish Pamnani 152
 Rahul Rajani 173
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