BUSHFIRES ALERT BY EDUCATE GHANA SUMMIT

BUSHFIRES ALERT BY EDUCATE GHANA SUMMIT

Bushfires are common throughout Ghana in these times. They are more likely to burn when the weather is very hot and dry. The higher the temperature, the more ignitable the environment becomes. Fire outbreak is caused by human activities; either by accident or deliberate, and natural. For instance, lightning.

Let's delve into the various activities that lead to fire outbreak.

a. Accidentally, some palm wine tappers and farmers normally loose control over the already set fire and it eventually spread to the whole farm yard and beyond.

b. Deliberate activities of some people like hunters cause bushfires. They sometimes, deliberately set fire to burn the bushes for an access to easily chase their preys.

c. Naturally, lightning can ignite fire through some grasses as well as twigs. This can burn and spread very quickly.
 It is estimated that natural sources of ignition (lightning) account for about 50% of Australian bushfires. One may guess the cause of the remaining 50% and would not be far from right to say that, the remaining percentage of fire outbreak is caused by human activities.

d. Neglected ember usually causes bushfires and it becomes very difficult to control. Whenever people either forget or deliberately refused to put off the hot fragments of firewood or charcoal overnight, it causes fire outbreak.

e. The moisture of the fuel is another critical factor. Decreased humidity increases the chances of igniting and spreading fires.

A research conducted, further tells that wind plays a key role in the spread of bushfires. Wind provides much oxygen which aids burning. As human beings need oxygen to live, so does fire. Wind also spreads fire around more rapidly.

 A bushfire spreads up a hill much faster than it goes downwards a hill and so the fire spreads upwards faster when fire is set at the base of a mountainous area.

Effects of bushfires

The following are some effects of fire outbreak which is very devastating.

a. Large areas of land and nature are destroyed.

d. Wild and domestic animals and people are killed, and homes are burnt down.

c. Livestock and agricultural land are destroyed.

d. The amount of smoke that is emitted into the atmosphere causes respiratory disorders.

Let's look at this critically, people with asthma or bronchitis may experience a worsening signs and symptoms as a result of all the smoke in the atmosphere. So let's try to prevent indiscriminate burning now!
Educate Ghana Summit puts lives and education as its priority. Hence educating the nation.

Signed

Mr. Boadi William as GHANA BA.
Founder/CEO, Educate Ghana Summit.
+233(0)541935106.

Mr. Edward Frimpong
General Secretary, Educate Ghana Summit
+233(0)547522601.

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