A few weeks or even days after hearing about a significant wildfire, many people tend to forget about them and move on with their lives. However, the planet doesn’t forget so easily. After they occur, wildfires can continue to affect the land they have consumed long after the final embers die out. Wildfires often cause a lot of destruction; however, their effects aren’t always entirely bad. From the positives to the negatives, here are some of the long-term impacts of wildfires on the environment.
Reduced Air Quality
One of the most notable long-term impacts of wildfires on the environment is their negative influence on air quality. The colossal flames produce a large amount of smoke and carbon monoxide. When such large quantities are released into the atmosphere, they substantially reduce the air quality in the area. Such pollution can travel great distances and threaten the health of humans, animals, plants, and any other living creatures that inhale the harmful fumes.
Decreased Water Quality
In addition to reducing air quality, wildfires can also have a lasting negative effect on water quality. Following a wildfire, the Earth’s scorched soil becomes hydrophobic. In other words, the ground repels water, so when it rains, the water doesn’t absorb into the ground. Instead, it runs over the land and transports a large amount of ash, debris, and sediment into rivers, lakes, and streams. Such stormwater runoff often pollutes many valuable water sources, which are extremely time-consuming and expensive to filter.
Destroyed Habitats
Because many species of wildlife dwell in forests, wildfires can leave many animals homeless. Some larger trees may survive if wildland firefighters put out the blaze before it spreads to the canopies, but the flames typically consume smaller trees and plants, which often serve as food sources and shelters for animals. Even if certain habitats aren’t completely destroyed, the burn injuries they incur can leave them more susceptible to diseases, insects, and fungi.
A New Life for Ecosystems
As we stated, the long-term effects of wildfires aren’t all bad. Wildfires often provide ecosystems with new life. For example, many species of plants actually require regular burns to provide nutrients and to create the soil conditions they need to grow and flourish. In addition, wildfires remove low-growing underbrush and clear debris. As a result, the forest floor can receive more sunlight, and established trees and other plants can enjoy less competition for nutrients. Furthermore, wildfires can destroy invasive plants and diseases as well as reduce insect populations that threaten the health and longevity of certain ecosystems.
