In the previous article, you were introduced to the types of fires and injuries of each. In this article, we are going to talk about the causes of fires in Hyrcanian forests and the damage they cause. It is not bad to know that it is a spontaneous forest fire.

That is, the forest decides to start a fire for reasons it deems appropriate. This type of fire also has advantages that we will mention below.

Intentional fires are the most common cause of fires in Hyrcanian forests Fires occur in Hyrcanian forests for a variety of reasons. Intentional fires are one of the main causes of fires in northern wars. Deliberate fire can occur for a variety of reasons.

Reasons for intentional fire:

 1- Small area under cultivation of farmers:

The area of agricultural land is small. For this reason, they expand their agricultural land by lighting fires and destroying the texture of the forest and turning it into a pasture.

2- Personal disputes and hostilities:

Sometimes personal and ethnic issues are not ineffective in this matter. Individuals burn forests and pastures due to ethnic strife. Of course, this is more in the Zagros region and less in the Hyrcanian forests.

3- Preparing charcoal:

Preparing charcoal is another reason that kills trees. People burn living trees and make charcoal from their trunks.

4- Dangers of human factor:

Human factors can consciously or unconsciously lead to a fire. Shepherds who put out the fire but leave the ashes behind and there is a possibility of re-ignition. We also have a proverb in this regard: “Fire under the ashes”! Predators can start fires by burning the rest of the straw in fields that are close to forest areas. Just by jumping a spark of fire!

5- Cigarette butts, small but effective:

 One of the most important factors that have been raised recently is cigarette butts. Cigarette butts can act as a source of fire and, in dry seasons, cause fires to spread along roadsides into the forest.

6- Lightning and natural disasters:

Other cases can naturally cause fire, including large thunderstorms, fermentation, and chemical interactions, especially in an area where the volume of leaf soil is high and in rare cases, the eruption of a volcanic mountain.

7- Waste:

Perhaps another thing that can be considered effective is the reference to waste remaining in nature. You may not believe it, but a plastic bottle, especially with water, can act as a lens, burn dry leaves, and start a fire just like a magnifying glass on paper.

Damage from various types of fires

Ground and surface fires cause little damage to non-beech trees with thick bark. In a trunk or crown fire, trees like an oak with thick bark dry out and the tree may die. The most important thing in the world about forest fires is recognizing the collective factors and motives that led to the fires. In this case, it is easier to fight the fire.

The most important issue for firefighting is to know the method and cause of forest fires.

Production of ash on food

Among the damages after forest fires, we can mention the ash produced. This ash destroys the nutrients available to the forest creatures. It also causes water loss or wastage and can increase the risk of sudden floods.

Destroying the beautiful view of the forest

Other damages that can be mentioned are what can be seen directly. Yes! Beautiful view of the forest. Forests lose soil in addition to their appearance after the fire. Yes, soil! Soil permeability decreases due to the destruction of organisms and nutrients. Soil organic matter is severely depleted, disrupting soil nitrogen and phosphorus levels and this cycle. In a way, the water cycle is disrupted. The forest depends on the ecosystem in which it exists. In addition to destroying young seedlings and soil, the fire also destroys the living environment. In this situation, biodiversity is greatly reduced and also affects the health and economy of the region.

Air pollution and dust

All of this is one side and air pollution is created and dust is the other side of the story. The dust remains stable in the area after the fire, and the reconstruction of all this destruction is very long. In addition, the generated dust can lead to ozone depletion. It can even lead to the permanent extinction of some local species in the area. If a forest fire breaks out, it will cost a fortune to restore natural cover.

Forest fires are not always bad!

We talked about the dangers and pains of forest fires. A famous proverb says: Let the enemy be the cause of good!

Sometimes there are benefits to having a fire when it is controlled. You may not believe it, but it is true!

• Fire can help reproduction, growth rate, and seed growth.
• Usually leads to the destruction of weeds and substandard species.
• Improves physical properties and in fact, leads to sleep and leads to a quantitative and qualitative improvement of plants that exist in the area.

Plants grow more resistant, and diseases and pests are reduced. Yes, just as animals learn how to be stronger and protect themselves when they are eaten, Mother Nature somehow teaches all forest dwellers how to resist burning. In a way, they learn and try to survive. But beware, this is for the time when the forest itself decides to ignite.

The goal of the forest for us is for the forest to be able to maintain its regeneration. When it comes to planting seedlings in the forest, some people think that everything is easily destroyed by wood smuggling and forest fires, but we do our best to help regenerate the forest. With your help, we are going to help the forest to stand on its own two feet as soon as possible and be able to conserve its resources.