Wildfires

By Emma Roth, Nature Educator

An unusual haze has descended on most of New York and neighboring states, and this area is no exception. The sun shining through my windows this morning gave a weak, yellow light. By 11:00 a.m., the air at ACNC smelled strongly of smoke. Everything looked foggy and out of focus. The haze was the drifting smoke from wildfires in Quebec and Nova Scotia, hundreds of miles away that was carried on the wind to settle over us.

Wildfires are a destructive force of nature, and, although we are safe from the fires here, the hazy atmosphere is a reminder of their presence. It can be upsetting to think about the plants and animals, people included, who are having their lives torn apart from the blaze. While the destruction is profound on an individual level, I often have to remind myself that the fires themselves are not all bad and can provide a variety of benefits to the ecosystem as a whole.

Wildfires have been a part of nature for millions of years, long before humans appeared. They play an important role in the ecosystem, however destructive they may seem. It is also important to remember the resilience of nature, and how quickly a scorched and barren area of land can bounce back and teem with life.

As ecosystems age and grow, valuable nutrients from the soil are pulled into long-lived plants, like trees, which stay there for the life of the organism. Once the plant dies, decomposers like worms, flies, fungi, and bacteria get to work returning those valuable nutrients to the soil, for new plants to use and grow.

This process is mostly a stable one, where nutrients and energy are returned to the soil at the same rate they are being sucked up by growing plants. However, a large influx of nutrients can help an old forest renew itself. This is where wildfires lend a helping hand.

As a fire sweeps through the underbrush, dead plant material that was slowly decomposing on the ground is quickly turned to nutrient-packed ash that gives a sudden influx of nutrients to the soil. These fires also help thin the canopy of dense forests, allowing more sunlight to reach the forest floor. The combination of these two factors allows the forest to blossom. Young plants have a surplus of nutrients and sunlight to begin their lives with, creating a strong foundation for them to grow into a healthy forest in the future.

Wildfires are not just an efficient way to recycle nutrients in an ecosystem. They are also a crucial part of the lifecycle for some plants. Some species of cone-producing trees, such as the Giant Sequoias in California, require the heat of wildfire to melt the sticky sap holding their cones closed. The sap melts, the cones open, and the seeds fall out, landing in the nutrient-rich soil the fire leaves behind.

Fires don’t just benefit plants. Many animals also thrive in a post-fire ecosystem. The burst of young plants that grow from the ashes provide valuable food to a variety of creatures, such as deer, mice, rabbits, and bears. Dead trees attract a number of insects and beetles, which in turn attract woodpeckers. Many animals find shelter in the fallen and burned trees and logs that litter the forest floor after a fire.

There is no doubt that wildfires are destructive, dangerous, and just plain scary. In recent years, there has been an increase in not only the number of wildfires, but in the size of these fires as well. In an ironic sense, having regular, small wildfires is crucial in preventing larger, destructive fires. Small wildfires clear out the underbrush and stop large amounts of dead branches, leaves, and other forest floor refuse from building up, which can fuel much larger fires in the right conditions.

While wildfires have many benefits, an excess of fire can cause harm that outweighs the benefits. Like everything in nature, wildfires are part of a delicate balance. It is that balance that humans need to try to maintain.

Audubon Community Nature Center builds and nurtures connections between people and nature. ACNC is located just east of Route 62 between Warren and Jamestown. The trails are open from dawn to dusk and birds of prey can be viewed anytime the trails are open. The Nature Center is open from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. daily except Sunday when it opens at 1 p.m. More information can be found online at auduboncnc.org or by calling (716) 569-2345.