Firefighters battle the Woolsey Fire as it continues to burn in Malibu, California. Reuters
Firefighters battle the Woolsey Fire as it continues to burn in Malibu, California. Reuters
Firefighters battle the Woolsey Fire as it continues to burn in Malibu, California. Reuters
Firefighters battle the Woolsey Fire as it continues to burn in Malibu, California. Reuters

Wildfires: What causes them and why they're happening more frequently


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This week, wildfires in California have swept through communities and forests, killing at least 26.

High winds have accelerated the flames' progression - entire communities have been razed to the ground and up to 6,700 homes destroyed.

In July, 88 people were killed when a blaze tore through Greece, one of the most deadly in years.

Wildfires are becoming increasingly frequent and increasingly deadly. Here's everything you need to know about them.

What causes wildfires?

Fires start in a relatively simple manner - it only requires a spark, kindling and oxygen.

More often than not, the sparks are started by people - campfires, cigarettes and debris can all be responsible, while lightning strikes are also common.

Human-caused ignition for wildfires doesn't have to be caused by carelessness though - downed power lines and blown tyres can all start a potentially deadly blaze.

In 2016, police in Israel arrested 12 people on suspicion of arson after a massive wildfire tore through the country.

But the conditions have to be right - vegetation must be dry enough to burn in order to act as kindling.

Hot, dry climates are most at risk of wildfires, but they need to be moist enough to grow vegetation – deserts aren't flammable.

In areas where the majority of the rain, snow and fog happens during the winter and the summers are warm and dry, the climate is ripe for a wildfire.

This is most commonin climates like California and the Mediterranean, where they have wet winters and warm summers, but some areas of the Middle East are also at high risk.

How do you combat wildfires?

One of the key ways firefighters fight blazes is by establishing a control line.

This is a patch of land, natural or man-made, which cannot burn. Natural control lines could be a river or a ridge, while man-made control lines could be made from dug trenches or wet soil.

Fires can sometimes jump across the line, but when firefighters talk about fires as "percentage contained", this is what they mean.

These lines can also be burnt out, creating a line of forest with less kindling.

An aircraft drops flame retardant as firefighters battle the Woolsey Fire as it continues to burn in Malibu, California. Reuters
An aircraft drops flame retardant as firefighters battle the Woolsey Fire as it continues to burn in Malibu, California. Reuters

Using water, firefighters can start to flank out the fire - starting at the back they can try to trap the flames, making their way around the perimeter.

Wildfires are also attacked from the air air using helicopters and planes dropping water or some form of fire retardant.

This can act as an effective barrier and insulate bushes which have not yet been burnt.

US President Donald Trump has blamed the management of forest in California, saying the seriousness of the blaze is a product of poor planning.

Are wildfires happening more frequently?

Statistically, yes and they're worse than before.

In California, 10 of the largest fires since records began in 1932 have occurred since 2000.

With global warming raising temperatures by two to three degrees, the conditions for wildfires are likely to happen more often.

In Lebanon, fires are considered a greater risk due to climate change and a lack of forest management.

Oddly, human suppression of fires has made the phenomenon more commonplace.

Effective suppression of fires has meant plants in areas which would have otherwise been burnt have been allowed to grow.

This has meant when matters get out of control there is more fuel to fan the flames.

Some areas burn bush in controlled circumstances to mitigate the risk of wildfires.

What are the effects of wildfires?

Wildfires can be deadly, often taking dozens of lives within a few days. They can also destroy homes, leaving thousands of people homeless, losing their life savings if they don't have the correct insurance.

After the fire has been put out communities surrounding fires can suffer from worsening air quality, soil erosion and increased home insurance premiums.

But there are also positive effects. Wildfires are natural ways of soil replenishing its nutrients and soil can be more fertile after fires.

The specs

Engine: 5.2-litre V10

Power: 640hp at 8,000rpm

Torque: 565Nm at 6,500rpm

Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto

Price: From Dh1 million

On sale: Q3 or Q4 2022 

The rules of the road keeping cyclists safe

Cyclists must wear a helmet, arm and knee pads

Have a white front-light and a back red-light on their bike

They must place a number plate with reflective light to the back of the bike to alert road-users

Avoid carrying weights that could cause the bike to lose balance

They must cycle on designated lanes and areas and ride safe on pavements to avoid bumping into pedestrians

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F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

While you're here
ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

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What are the influencer academy modules?
  1. Mastery of audio-visual content creation. 
  2. Cinematography, shots and movement.
  3. All aspects of post-production.
  4. Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
  5. Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
  6. Tourism industry knowledge.
  7. Professional ethics.
if you go

The flights
The closest international airport to the TMB trail is Geneva (just over an hour’s drive from the French ski town of Chamonix where most people start and end the walk). Direct flights from the UAE to Geneva are available with Etihad and Emirates from about Dh2,790 including taxes.

The trek
The Tour du Mont Blanc takes about 10 to 14 days to complete if walked in its entirety, but by using the services of a tour operator such as Raw Travel, a shorter “highlights” version allows you to complete the best of the route in a week, from Dh6,750 per person. The trails are blocked by snow from about late October to early May. Most people walk in July and August, but be warned that trails are often uncomfortably busy at this time and it can be very hot. The prime months are June and September.

 

 

Medicus AI

Started: 2016

Founder(s): Dr Baher Al Hakim, Dr Nadine Nehme and Makram Saleh

Based: Vienna, Austria; started in Dubai

Sector: Health Tech

Staff: 119

Funding: €7.7 million (Dh31m)

 

The specs

Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel

Power: 579hp

Torque: 859Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh825,900

On sale: Now

Torbal Rayeh Wa Jayeh
Starring: Ali El Ghoureir, Khalil El Roumeithy, Mostafa Abo Seria
Stars: 3

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Company profile

Company: Rent Your Wardrobe 

Date started: May 2021 

Founder: Mamta Arora 

Based: Dubai 

Sector: Clothes rental subscription 

Stage: Bootstrapped, self-funded 

Director: Jon Favreau

Starring: Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, John Oliver

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Haircare resolutions 2021

From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.

1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'

You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.

2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'

Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.

3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’

Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.