Only You Can Prevent Wildfires! (Part two)

Part one of this article was dedicated to Smokey Bear who will be turning 80 this coming 2024. With his catch phrase of “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires”, he became an iconic ad man for the US Forest Service. His motto is true, only we as humans can help to protect the precious natural resources of forests and their ecosystems.

Fire happens naturally in most forests, some occurring every year while other ecosystems surviving fire every 25 years or more. In fact, some species of forest plants actually need fires for their seeds to germinate. Fires help a forest to stay healthy by clearing away dead branches and leaves (floor litter) which recycles nutrients back into the soil and help to control pest infestation. They help to make room for new plant growth by removing dense canopies to allow sunlight to reach the forest floor.

Although fires may be helpful to a forest ecosystem, it is important to realize they can turn deadly to humans and wildlife in an instant. We unfortunately witnessed this during our recent summer months from wildfires in Canada, Washington state and tragically Lahaina on the island of Maui. People who manage forests with fire are very careful to create small, controlled fires that they can put out quickly. Some Native Americans and other Indigenous or First Nation peoples all over the world have historically used fire to keep forests healthy and produce more food. Specially trained members of the US Forest Service may do controlled burns in some cases. Here in West Texas, we once used prescribed burns to help control mesquite, prickly pear cactus and other invasive species. However, with the recent years of drought other methods are more popular and controllable.

When most people think of forests, they envision tall, majestic pine trees reaching up to the sky. These are seen in the East Texas area but here in Howard County Pine trees are usually found in back yards, parks and as windbreak trees. Wind break trees are trees planted to do just that- break the wind from hitting the land and causing erosion. Howard Soil and Water Conservation District (HSWCD) and other SWCDS have sold windbreak tree seedling for decades to help our local agricultural producers in protecting precious topsoil from blowing away along with providing shade and protection for wildlife.

Wind can have harmful effects on soil, agricultural crops, and livestock. Persistent winds can decrease soil temperature, increase water loss, and lead to erosion. Wind exposure can damage crops, causing yield and quality loss through desiccation (drying out), abrasion, bruising and breakage. Windbreaks offer livestock refuge from harsh conditions especially during cold winter months when livestock are exposed to chilling winds and freezing precipitation. Windbreaks can result in healthier livestock by reducing stress on the animals. Improvements such as lower birthing mortality rates, lower rates of disease, increased milk production, and higher weights have occurred for some agriculture producers who implement windbreaks. Slowing the winds by redirection, the windbreaks even create microclimates that help encourage pollinator visits thus enhancing crop production.

Before establishing a windbreak, land managers should identify the goals of their operation and the specific problems being caused by wind and blowing sand or snow on their land. Windbreaks need to be a proper height, width, and density to achieve desired effects. Specific design elements should be addressed prior to establishment, including efficient watering systems.

Fencing, proximity to farm buildings and structures, access for windbreak tree maintenance, and which species is most suitable for the area should all be considered before planting.

Windbreak trees can be utilized in the city or urban area for some of the same reasons they are of use for the agriculture producers. Windbreaks along the side of the road will slow winds that blow dust or snow on the roads. They help set up a natural boundary against noise in city parks and encourage pollinators for urban gardens and ornamental plants.

Some may wonder about encouraging the planting of trees and then warning about fires. There are in fact plants that can work as firebreaks and help protect areas or slow fires. Important considerations such as the topography of the area (fire moves quickly up hillsides), the direction of prevailing winds, other native plant area, and manmade structures such as roads, swimming pools or ponds, and structures that may not be fire retardant (olden wooden structures, fences, etc.).

Fire-retardant trees can protect from fire in three ways. Firstly, by acting as a shield against the immense radiant heat generated by an approaching fire, so that the house is protected from the intense temperatures that can shatter windows and melt materials. Secondly a large canopied tree, or a strategically placed hedge, acts to trap the burning material carried in the intense fire winds. This reduces the amount of flaming matter that can reach and ignite the building itself. Finally, the stored moisture in the leaves acts as all water does; it suppresses the fire's energy. Even a single tree has saved a house or shed. That's why fire-retardant trees are living firebreaks. The best trees for a firebreak are those that have soft leaves with high moisture content and smooth non-peeling bark. The moisture in green leaves of retardants is turned to steam as they burn thus the energy of the fire is slowed.

Whether it is a large pine forest, or an urban forest, or a line of windbreak trees, trees are an important part of the ecosystem on this planet. So “May The Forest Be With You Always” and make Smokey Bear proud by protecting them.