...The Burning City… The Great Chicago Fire I n a city made completely of wood, fires aren’t exactly rare. But no one was expecting a fire of this intensity. On October 8, 1971, a fire supposedly started in a small barn at 137 DeKoven Street. It is also thought that a meteor struck the small barn. According to the most believed theory, the cow owned by Mrs. O’Leary kicked over a lantern, setting the barn ablaze. The firemen, who had just saved a fire earlier that week, were exhausted and didn’t get to the fire until it was too late. When they knew for sure the fire could not be contained, they rang the alarm bell to alert the city. Gusts of wind blew the flames across the dry land, as the citizens of Chicago were experiencing...
Words: 462 - Pages: 2
...controlled burning? - The fires were used to kill off parasites and unwanted pests. Example being the rattlesnake in the Southern states, and parasitic mistletoe that grew in California on the Oak. -Fires encouraged the growth of large tress that were used by natives to build canoes. - Fires cleared the forests, which meant that enemies of local tribes had little to no place to hide and would be easy to find. - Clearing the forests meant the growth of new vegetation on the forest floors, which attracted animals such as deer for hunting. 2) What human choices caused the firestorm that destroyed the town of Cloquet in 1918? - The European settlers had cleared out the old forest, but instead of clearing it out they just left the debris. The debris denied the vegetation the ability to grow in that area. The vegetation contained moisture that would've kept the fire from being as big as it was, possibly not even allowing the rail road spark to ignite the fire. As well as no one had used the traditional burning methods that the ecosystem had become a custom too with the natives that lived there before for several generations....
Words: 654 - Pages: 3
...Uncontrolled blazes fueled by weather, wind, and dry underbrush, wildfires can burn acres of land—and consume everything in their paths—in mere minutes. On average, more than 100,000 wildfires, also called wildland fires or forest fires, clear 4 million to 5 million acres (1.6 million to 2 million hectares) of land in the U.S. every year. In recent years, wildfires have burned up to 9 million acres (3.6 million hectares) of land. A wildfire moves at speeds of up to 14 miles an hour (23 kilometers an hour), consuming everything—trees, brush, homes, even humans—in its path. HOW THEY ARE FORMED There are three conditions that need to be present in order for a wildfire to burn, which firefighters refer to as the fire triangle: fuel, oxygen, and...
Words: 504 - Pages: 3
...Wildfires Imagine driving down the road and looking over to see a field burning in flames, animals dodging the heat and running for their lives, you just witnessed a wildfire. Wildfires happen everywhere. They can start by natural cause or even human cause. A wildfire is defined as an uncontrolled fire, usually in places of high vegetation, such as forest, and in places with lots of wind. Wildfires are ‘quasi-natural’ hazards, meaning that they are not entirely natural features. They can also be caused by human error as well. The four major causes of wildfire ignitions are lightning, volcanic eruptions, sparks from rockfalls, and spontaneous combustion: the ignition of organic matter without apparent cause, typically through heat generated...
Words: 1570 - Pages: 7
...ether, Methyl alcohol, Acetone. 9. Combustible Metals (provide examples): a metal that will combust under heat. Some examples are: Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium. 10. Carboxyhemoglobin: A compound found in the blood by binding carbon monoxide and hemoglobin. 11. Chemical Energy (provide examples of the two types): Energy stored in the bonds of chemical compounds released or taken in during exothermic and endothermic reactions. An example of an exothermic reaction is a fire burning. An example of an endothermic reaction is photosynthesis. 12. Concentration: the relative amount of a given substance contained within a solution or in a particular volume of space. 13. BTU: British thermal unit which is a traditional work equal to 1055 joules. 14. Joule: the SI unit of Work or Energy. 15. Fire: Combustion or burning in which substances combined chemically with oxygen in the air and typically give out bright light heat and smoke. 16. Fire Point: The lowest temperature at which a substance can continue to burn. 17. Fire Tetrahedron: A four-sided geometric...
Words: 992 - Pages: 4
...Garcia, According to the U.S. Fire Administration, they say that burning candles are the cause of approximately 15,600 fires, 1,270 injuries, 150 deaths, and an estimated of $539 million damages every year. Are you aware that 80% of burning candles are the cause of house fires? When you light up a fire free candle manufactured by Ambiance Candles, You will enjoy the lovely aroma that surrounds your home without worrying about those horrific statistics. Ambiance Candles is made out of real fragranced and with the soy plant, a plant source which prevents diseases such as cancer and heart disease. You can actually plug in your warmer and watch your candle burn fire free. The soy wax melts very slowly while you enjoy the sweet smells of your choice for 10 hours or more. We carry all of your desired fragrances. Ambiance Candles offers over 250 fragrances and 100 different warmers. When our dedicated customers writes their review about our candles, they say they are so excited about the different fragrances that we offer, and are very happy of how safe the candles are around their families and pets. We listen to our customer’s suggestions and ideas and that is the reason why we are able to bring to you all of your hearts desires when it comes to a safer, cleaner and healthier way of burning candles in your homes. Our candles are lead and soot free, and can last an average of 100 hours! On a yearly base, candle lovers burns approximately $500 on fire lit candles. We save these average...
Words: 393 - Pages: 2
...(Coffman, 2012) These fires are prime examples of why prescribed burning is a must. These fires had all the ingredients to make a big problem. There was a drought/lighting, debris, and humid temperatures. Prescribed burning, controlled burning is a management tool. These small burns in forest-like areas reduce wildfire. (Prescribed, 2012) This is done by teams of firefighters or foresters, studying the weather and characteristics of the area. Once the team has a date set to burn, they ignite the fire against the wind and down a slope. (Prescribed, 2012) They do this so the fire is controllable. Once the team is finish, they look for smoldering signs and extinguish any spots. (Prescribed, 2012) Controlled forest fires are healthy for the environment by reducing wildfires, increasing wildlife/controlling pest, and improving access. Prescribed burns reduce wildfires because it reduces debris on the forest floor; one of the key ingredients for producing wildfires. When logging in the area is complete, the trucks leave wood chips behind. Add that to the vegetation that grows naturally and the dead leaves and trees that fall every year, it basically becomes a big fire pit waiting to be ignited with the perfect storm. There are two types of burning to reduce debris: under burning and slash burning. (Walstad, pg. 4 par 2) Under burning is a control burn under a mature canopy in the forest; its job is to interrupt “fuel ladders” that grow up the canopy. This type of burning is to help improve...
Words: 1133 - Pages: 5
...Men were recruited from all over the United States to come to the West to fight the Big Blowup of 1910, but this hardly put a damper on the blazing fire. By the middle of July alone, there were over three thousand laborers employed to fight fires in Northwestern Montana and Northern Idaho alone (Silcox 1910, p. 635). These men worked hours trying to put the fire out, using any method imaginable in order to extinguish the flame; dirt, water, etcetera. However, what finally stopped the fire was trenches from 2 to 4 feet wide were dug down to mineral soil and all the inflammable brush and debris was thrown away from the fire in order to stop feeding the fire and put it out (Silcox 1910, p. 638). Digging trenches alone is a difficult task, but...
Words: 402 - Pages: 2
...fire-171229_1280 Charles Dickens may have found a convenient way of disposing of one of his characters. In his novel Bleak House, the character Krook, spontaneously combusts. But even back in the nineteenth century the world-view of spontaneous human combustion was beginning to change. Scientific discoveries were regarded as the highest forms of human endeavor and spontaneous human combustion was soon to be rejected as legend and superstition. Yet, in the 21st century many questions still remain and some say, defied explanation. The fact was that there were over 200 cases of people who had burnt to a crisp over the past 300 years, something that seems difficult to discount. Strange cases of people reduced to a pile of ashes with a skull, torso...
Words: 908 - Pages: 4
...Bath and Body Works, or Yankee Candle Company, Scentsy Wickless Warmers are a safer, affordable and more efficient alternative, while providing many of the same results that you can get with traditional candles. Do you know how many house fires are caused by candles? According to U.S. Fire Administration (2013), 42 home fires are reported every day. That’s 15,260 each year! One-Fifth of reported candle fires, the candles are unattended or abandoned, and more than half of these candle fires start because something that can burn is too close to the open flame, such as mattresses, bedding, or curtains. Someone falling asleep while a candle is burning is a major concern when it comes to candles, and this exact situation accounts for 12% of these home fires. Scentsy Wickless Warmers use a low watt light bulb, instead of fire or flame, to heat the wax to a temperature just above body temperature; the risk of house fire is drastically reduced without an open flame. Although it is the most tragic, fire is not the only hazard that traditional candles pose. Because the fire burns the wick, wax and whatever is in the candle. These chemicals, toxins and allergens are released into the air that we breathe which could be just as deadly as a fire for some people, because it may aggravate asthma, cause allergy-like symptoms, or irritate the respiratory tract. Ever wonder what could be in the candles you burn? Well according to a study by South Carolina State University in 2009 ("Cnn...
Words: 1388 - Pages: 6
...think fire fighting would be a fun and exciting job. When I watch firefighters battling fires on the news, it makes me want to be out there fighting the fire with them. I also like the idea that I would be helping many people. For example, during 9/11 many firefighters risked and lost their lives going into the badly damaged World Trade Center towers to save the lives of people they did not even know. Every little boy dreams of becoming a police officer or firefighter so that they can ride around in a car or truck with sirens blaring. Now that I have grown older I still want to be a firefighter. That is why I decided to join a six-week high school fire academy at West L.A. College last summer. During those six weeks I learned how to use a firefighter’s hose and how the different nozzles function. I learned the fire-fighting lingo, like “run” means an incident, or “size up” is a verbal picture of the incident that says, “I’m at… I need… I have.” One of the most important things I learned at the Fire Academy was teamwork and how not doing your job could result in the serious injury or even death of one of the members of your Engine Company. Although it was an extreme amount of work and it was a huge sacrifice to give up my summer, this experience only strengthened my desire to become a firefighter. In my eyes a firefighter is not just somebody doing his or her job, he’s a super hero. When someone is trapped in a burning building, a firefighter battles the monster (fire) with...
Words: 459 - Pages: 2
...A Firefighter's Will Of Fire " To serve and protect", this is our will of fire. A fiery desire inculcated in the hearts and mind of every firefighter - to serve humanity that quality public service they deserve and to protect the lives and properties of everyone away from any danger or harm that this treacherous world of ours may throw upon us. The message I would like to convey to every firefighter is how to keep such will of fire burning, everyday and always. As firefighters, bear in mind that since day one of our recruitment process until we take our oath of office until we start our first day of work, we are taught to be disciplined individuals. We are required to give our best to perform our duties and obligations. In following orders, we should have command responsibility, we have to realize our goals and in the process develop our character. And of course, unconditional commitment to our service is expected from us. Hence, it is very important that in every turnpike of our lives as firefighters, we should remember these ideals. Not only remember it but put these in word and in deed. Indeed, the we choose to take is not easy, we need to be constant in our purpose, we should not falter to serve. The occassional turmoils are challenges that we must face and overcome. These are the tools that our Creator gave us in order for us to learn, to grow and to survive. I believe that what makes our chosen profession more fulfilling is the fact that we...
Words: 360 - Pages: 2
...flame retardant can cause cancer and other health defects throughout time. Many of the protestors of this technical bulletin were firefighters because of the dangers these pieces of furniture brought when burning and letting off smoke. The smoke that comes off the furniture was mixed with the chemicals used to protect it are extremely deadly and could cause a person to develop cancer much quicker. Many scientists, political figures, firefighters and concerned parents have tried to eliminate the Technical Bulletin 117 for many years after discovering the dangers of the furniture but have come up short and unsuccessful in banning it all together. In my opinion, I believe the California legislator made the right choice to make furniture flame retardant because at the time it seemed like it was a phenomenal idea. Giving people 12 more seconds to evacuate their home before their furniture was fully engulfed in flames was a great idea. But now with the test that have been done and the studies showing that cancerous chemicals are in these pieces of furniture that people sit and live on, this bulletin needs to be changed. It’s a great thing that it helps stop a fire engulf the whole living room in a short amount of time, but people sit and lay on these things all year round. If a fire is serious enough to kill you in...
Words: 419 - Pages: 2
...trained in firefighting, primarily to extinguish hazardous fires that threaten property and civilian or natural populations and to rescue people from dangerous situations, like collapsed or burning buildings. Luckily or unluckily, my cousin work as a firefighter. Since he became a firefighter, I never saw him at home having the dinner with us in Chinese New Year. He has to stand guard, and wait for the order if there something happen. We all know that the job as a firefighter is really dangerous. There is an explosion in my city as a result of the oil spilling. All of the firefighters including my cousin in my city went to the first rescue line to save lives and buildings. Everyone is in danger. Unfortunately, someone died in that accident. So that comes to problem: Should firefighters contribute their lives to save other’s lives or properties? My answer is no. It might because that I have someone who has the relationship with me in blood. So that I feel his life is important for me. I want him to protect his own life instead of saving others. How fire happens? It is clear that there are some place that can easily catch fire. Like some places near the forest or rainless. We know that if there is only a little fire in a tree, it will spread quickly. We learned some examples from Egan’s article. He argued that firefighters don’t have to die for people’s property and homeowners cannot blame firefighters. He shows the fire happens in Arizona where is really beautiful “ …...
Words: 1311 - Pages: 6
...ECON 251 MO2 Spring 2014 First Supplementary Essay The topic “Firefighters Watch as Home Burns to the Ground” is about a house in Obion County, Tennessee burning down and the firefighters watch it, because the homeowner didn’t pay the $75 a year to have fire protection. Most people believe fire protection is a “public good”, but under these circumstances fire protection is not a public good. A product is a public good is only if non-payers cannot be excluded from its consumption. I pro for what the firefighters did, because if a person doesn’t pay into fire protection, then the people don’t pay the firefighters salaries. Why should they risk their lives for people that don’t support what they do. The payment is only $75, which is really cheap to have protection from fires. If people want to take a chance on not having a fire, then it is their problem when there is a fire. The topic “Perpetuating Poverty: Lotteries Prey on the Poor” is about the lower income people spending more money on the lotteries than higher income people. This is a perfect example of a regressive source of government revenue. This means the government takes a larger share of income from the poor than from the rich. I am pro for the lotteries being a regressive source of government, because the poor people know exactly what they are getting into by chancing their income to have a hope to win some more money. One thing I have learned from gambling is the house always wins, so you should be prepared...
Words: 278 - Pages: 2
