How We Can Re-Root Communities Left Reeling After Wildfire

The flames of a forest fire can carry an apparently insurmountable devastation.

Sometimes the fire works quickly, and as we have seen recently in Hawaii, it can end with a tragedy. When sparks are transformed, it is essential to make room for the first stakeholders as they try to turn off the flames. Their urgent work contributes to preserving human life and minimizing the damage to communities.

Once the fire is turned off and that rescue measures are put in place, people can start to assess how to rebuild. Unfortunately, this process can take years. Researchers think that climate change makes fires warmer and longer than ever, causing more serious damage to earth. In the wake of forest fires, we must intensify and act as the land for the land. We have to feed damaged health ecosystems.

The planting of trees is one of the best remedies we have.

Trees can be repairers. Trees can clean. Trees can be protection.

For example, the dangers associated with a forest fire do not always end when the flames come out. The risk of a landslide increases after a forest fire because the additional dry soil can be liquidated more easily if they are exposed to precipitation. Researchers say that in southern California, these post-fertile landslides are now expected almost every year. But when the trees are in the ground, their roots can help stabilize the soil and prevent earth erosion. This reduces the risk of landslides and prevents a new potential tragedy.

Once in the ground, trees can also operate as a natural air purifier. They absorb smoke and filter particle pollution that accompanies forest fires, power plants and petrol motor vehicles. This pollution can be harmful to the health of a community, stimulating higher rates of respiratory diseases such as asthma. But by planting trees, scientists say that we can improve air quality and reduce the risk of these conditions.

In the long term, trees can also capture and store carbon, helping to limit emissions in the atmosphere. Over time, this process helps slow the worsening of climate change effects. Researchers say that climate change is one of the deep reasons for increased frequency and severity of forest fires and other natural disasters. Using trees to control the freed carbon in the air, we can also limit the amount of climate -related disasters.

There are a lot of sciences behind the advantages that a tree can bring. But there is also an emotional factor here.

Communities struck by forest fires can feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the disaster. Their districts are unexpectedly reshaped by the fire, and their feeling of security is as damaged as the earth. In order to move forward, people need a reminder that destruction is mainly temporary. Everything that has been lost can not be replaced, but we can start again. When we replant a canopy of fallen trees, we make a significant investment in the future. No one plants a tree without the intention of seeing it grow. Whenever new roots are planted in the ground, it is an affirmation of the desire to strengthen the pride of the community.

Standing and resilient, the trees indicate that we have not lost hope.

Dan Lambe is CEO of Arbor Day Foundation, the largest non -profit membership organization dedicated to the planting of trees. It can be reached at [email protected].