Question 1

Heat-expanded air ___________________.

Accepted Answer

As air is heated, its molecules gain kinetic energy and move farther apart, leading to an increase in volume and a decrease in density. Therefore, heat-expanded air is less dense than cooler air.

Question 2

Design mistakes,which increase your house vulnerability to fire,include _________________.

Accepted Answer

All of the choices increase your house vulnerability to fire. Locating your house on a slope can increase the speed of the fire and make it harder for firefighters to access. Constructing your house of wood makes it more flammable. Having a roof made of flammable wood shingles can easily ignite from embers. Allowing tree limbs to hang over the roof can provide a direct path for fire to reach the house.

Question 3

Catastrophic firestorms are __________________________.

Accepted Answer

Catastrophic firestorms are wind-driven fires that can cause massive destruction by spreading rapidly and intensifying heat and flames.

Question 4

The Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System (CFFDRS)uses six codes and indices based on daily observations of rainfall,temperature,relative humidity,and wind speed.Match the temperature,relative humidity and rain with the appropriate fire code.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System...

Question 5

What do you call the layer of moss and decomposing organic matter at the base of trees in the boreal forest?

Accepted Answer

The layer of moss and decomposing organic matter at the base of trees in the boreal forest is called duff. Duff is an important part of the forest ecosystem as it serves as a nutrient-rich layer that helps trees and other vegetation to grow. Ash refers to the residue left behind after the burning of wood or other organic matter, topsoil is the uppermost layer of soil in which plants can grow, and slash refers to the debris left behind after logging operations.

Question 6

Factors contributing to the devastating 2003 fire season in British Columbia included all but which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The 2003 fire season in British Columbia was primarily exacerbated by fuel buildup from fire suppression, lack of resources, and prolonged dry weather, not arson.

Question 7

What do you call the simple measure of fire danger used to raise public awareness?

Accepted Answer

The Fire Weather Index (FWI) is a simple measure of fire danger that is used to raise public awareness. It takes into account factors such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, and precipitation to assess the risk of a forest fire. The FWI is used in Canada and other countries to help people understand the danger of wildfires and take appropriate precautions. The other options listed are not measures specifically used to raise public awareness about fire danger.

Question 8

A fire whirl is ___________________.

Accepted Answer

A fire whirl is a spinning column of ascending hot air rising from a wildfire and carrying smoke, debris, and flame. It is also known as a fire devil or a fire tornado.

Question 9

Wildland Urban Interface (WUI)areas are particularly vulnerable to wildfires because ____________________.

Accepted Answer

The close proximity of forest and infrastructure in WUI areas means that fires can easily spread from the vegetation into homes and buildings. This increases the risk and danger of wildfires in these areas. Factors such as difficulty for firefighters to reach WUI areas and jurisdiction issues can further complicate efforts to respond to wildfires in these areas, but the primary reason for their vulnerability is the high level of intermingling between forest and human infrastructure.

Question 10

Fire burns faster __________________.

Accepted Answer

Fire burns faster up a slope because the heat rises and draws in more oxygen, feeding the flames and increasing the rate of burn.

Question 11

Match the action for the fire suppression in Figure 12.33 with the appropriate level of fire intensity (kW/m).

Accepted Answer

The answer of Match the action for the fire suppression...

Question 12

Fires with an intensity between 2000 and 4000 kW/m ______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Fires with an intensity between 2000 and...

Question 13

Forest fire intensity is ranked according to _____.

Accepted Answer

Forest fire intensity is generally ranked according to the amount of heat energy released per second for a meter of fire front. This is a more accurate measure compared to wind speed or the Duff Moisture Index, which are also important factors but do not give a comprehensive picture of fire intensity.

Question 14

Some studies suggest that increased burning of Canada's northern boreal forest may lead to ________.

Accepted Answer

Increased burning of forests releases CO2, contributing to warming. However, when trees are removed, snow cover can increase, reflecting more sunlight and potentially causing a cooling effect during winter months.

Question 15

The most intense high heat fires occur in __________________________.

Accepted Answer

Forests with trees containing high contents of natural oils, such as conifers, are more susceptible to intense high heat fires. These trees have resin ducts that release flammable resin when heated, adding fuel to the fire and making it difficult to control.

Question 16

In the boreal forest lightning fires _____________.

Accepted Answer

Lightning fires in the boreal forest are usually ignited in the duff layer, which is the layer of decomposing leaves, branches, and other organic material on the forest floor. This is because the lightning strike can ignite the dry and flammable organic matter in the duff layer. While fires can also be ignited in the tree crown or stem and branches, these are less common in the boreal forest.

Question 17

Fire occurrence and fire-behavior processes is(are)influenced by _______________.

Accepted Answer

Fire occurrence and behavior are influenced by fuel, weather and topography, and human activities. The impact of extraterrestrial debris is not a significant factor in fire occurrence and behavior. Therefore, the best choice is E which includes all options except extraterrestrial debris.

Question 18

In Mediterranean climates such as California and Australia,the wet winters are too cold and the warm summers too dry ___________.

Accepted Answer

The statement suggests that the wet winters are not suitable for rotting dead biomass, which means that the dead plant material accumulates and becomes dry in the warm summers. This dry biomass increases the likelihood of wildfires, making them more frequent. Therefore, option B is the correct choice. Option A is incorrect because it suggests that the infrequent wildfires are a result of less rotting of dead biomass, which contradicts the given facts. Option C is also incorrect because although wildfires play a role in maintaining plant communities in such regions, their health cannot solely depend on wildfires. Option D is incorrect because the statement suggests the opposite.

Question 19

Figure 12.25 shows ____________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Figure 12.25 shows ____________. 
...

Question 20

During a forest fire trees are damaged by heat transfer that occurs by all but which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Refusion is not a form of heat transfer. The other options (conduction, radiation, and convection) are all forms of heat transfer that can damage trees during a forest fire. Conduction is the transfer of heat through direct contact, while radiation is the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves. Convection occurs when heat is transferred through the movement of fluids (e.g. air).

Quiz 12: Fire