The beauty of two archipelagos located in different oceans reduced to ashes - Wildfire prevention
- Wild Dirt
- Sep 9, 2023
- 4 min read
The respect for their own resources, the conservation of ecosystems and biosphere, and the sensitivity and rooted traditions of their cultures are the key to their sustainable development. The Canary Islands and Hawaii might seem to be worlds apart but they do actually have so much in common.
Sadly, in this month the islands of Tenerife (The Canary Islands) and Maui (Lahaina, Hawaii) have gone through two devastating wildfires that not only have reduced to ashes their biosphere but also have taken many lives with them.
Down here there’s a table with the latest collected data from both wildfires:
Even though wildfires can be caused by a person's carelessness or by unknown circumstances, both archipelagos invest big amounts of their budgets into preserving, protecting and cleaning their biosphere. A tremendous list of actions are taken by the citizens and the authorities to help as much as they can to prevent these kinds of disasters.
If you want to know more about them, keep reading! If every single one of us is able to chip in, we can create something big, something honest and respectful of the world we live in.
Wildfire prevention actions taken in The Canary Islands:
1. Mostly in summer, as temperatures rise to over 30ºC, campfires, fireworks, smoking or any work that might have tools using fuel or that can cause a spark of fire in the woods are totally banned. People can get fined or even get into prison if damages are serious.
2. There is a specific type of pine tree that only exists in The Canary Islands which is known for having a highly fire resistant bark. However, it can generate a huge amount of “pinocha”, which is a pine needle that covers the floor around the pine tree and it is curiously highly flammable. Pinocha is, indeed, one of the reasons why wildfire runs faster in the Canarian woods. Throughout the year, authorities work on several actions to clean as much pinocha as they can from the woods before high temperatures start.
3. Another really important action that is taken in The Canary Islands to prevent wildfires is that everybody, especially people with farms or gardens, must keep their property surroundings clean from dry leaves or dry plants as they can be really flammable in case of fire. This action has actually saved many houses from being burned down when wildfires have spread.
4. Last but not least, in case of wildfire, people with pools or water tanks must open them and let firefighters helicopters and water tank trucks supply them freely. The government, once the wildfire is extinguished, will replenish every single one of them without any cost to the owners.
Actions taken in Hawaii to prevent wildfires:
1. The Government has recommended persistently to tackle the grasses as they serve as fuel to make fire run faster, especially, if they are dry. In fact, grazing has also been mentioned as a tool to clean those dry areas that can be flammable.
2. Another important recommendation is to keep houses surrounded by plants that can create a wet vegetation environment and will help to prevent fire from running into the house. Likewise, it is important to keep rooftops and gardens clean from campfire embers and to use fire-resistant materials in the house surroundings.
3. It is also recommended to avoid playing with matches or fireworks outdoors.
4. There are community wildfire protection plans developed in different areas of the archipelago where vegetation and the environment are prone to grow wildfires. This is a really positive and educative action that encourages neighbors to understand their environment and how they can be useful (without the need of putting their lives at risk) in case of wildfire.
Could you imagine how big the impact of a wildfire can get if these archipelagos didn’t already work on prevention actions? What an example of understanding that every step we take will have a consequence over our future!
The Canary Islands and Hawaii archipelagos must be proud of thinking sustainably with such ease. Maybe it’s because they have no other options if they want to preserve the lands they live on, and, If it continues to improve, their children too. However, the point is that whatever their motivation, they’re still doing something good to honor their regions.
Sometimes, a simple piece of paper, a soda can or a tiny piece of crystal laying on the floor can cause a huge natural disaster without even noticing it. After reading this article we can only remind you that there’s a lesson to learn anywhere we go and that’s why we do really support the Leave No Trace actions. Just to help you understand a bit more how one second of your life can change someone else’s life.
