Group 4 Team 10 Talley Cain Megan Disney

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Group 4 - Team 10 Talley Cain Megan Disney Maislinn Helfer Audrey Miklitsch Aidan

Group 4 - Team 10 Talley Cain Megan Disney Maislinn Helfer Audrey Miklitsch Aidan Murphy http: //environmentalpolicy. ucdavis. edu/files/cepb/images/blog/Waldo%20 Canyon%20 Fire. jpg? 1340764350

Background There has been 7 forest fires in the past 2 years in Colorado

Background There has been 7 forest fires in the past 2 years in Colorado alone. Almost 250, 000 acres destroyed between the 7 fires. 2012 • High Park Fire • Waldo Canyon Fire 2013 • Black Forest Fire • Royal Gorge Fire • East Peak Fire • West Fork Fire Complex http: //blackicegeospatial. com/images/Wildfire/Waldo. Canyon_20120626_1200 px. jpg

2012 In 2012 a total of 594 homes were destroyed in the two fires.

2012 In 2012 a total of 594 homes were destroyed in the two fires. With 248 homes burned in the High Park Fire and 346 homes destroyed in the Waldo Canyon Fire, and they started within a few days of each other. • Breaking the others records for the most destructive fire until 2013. http: //www. anecdotesandapples. com/wpcontent/uploads/2012/06/382485_3689574552573_515960049_ n. jpg

2013 http: //images. christianpost. com/full/61388/a-wildfire-rages-on -in-black-forest-colorado-june-12 -2013. jpg • Black Forest Fire is the

2013 http: //images. christianpost. com/full/61388/a-wildfire-rages-on -in-black-forest-colorado-june-12 -2013. jpg • Black Forest Fire is the most destructive fire in Colorado as of today. It destroyed 511 homes and partially damaged 28 homes. – It took the lives of the two people at the origin of the fire • Royal Gorge Fire damaged the landmark of the Royal Gorge Bridge leaving severe damage

2013 http: //d. christiantoday. com/en/full/16740/mandatoryevacuation-zone-for-the-black-forestfire. png? w=389&h=304&l=50&t=40 • East Peak Fire damaged about a

2013 http: //d. christiantoday. com/en/full/16740/mandatoryevacuation-zone-for-the-black-forestfire. png? w=389&h=304&l=50&t=40 • East Peak Fire damaged about a thousand acres less than the Black Forest Fire and the damage was much less severe • West Fork Fire Complex has destroyed the most acres in the past 2 years with over 110, 000 acres destroyed. This was caused by three fires merging, and needing the evacuation of the entire town of South Fork, Colorado.

Fire Retardant History • In 1956, firefighters found that water was not very effective

Fire Retardant History • In 1956, firefighters found that water was not very effective in fighting fires. The weather had to be near perfect with virtually no wind, and the fire had to burn at a very low temperature for the fire to be put out. • The first solution made was a sodium calcium borate solution mixed with water. Later scientists found out that this solution sterilized the ground and later hindered the activity of flora and fauna. From this harmful effect, scientists developed a new retardant made of bentonite and water which didn’t have harmful effects on the ecosystems. http: //media. npr. org/assets/img/2012/06/21/firefighting-plane_widef 3619 e 387 ef 488 c 8798 c 5 d 2165030832 e 7 bd 2 ee 3 -s 6 -c 30. jpg

How They Work • Fire retardants have physical and chemical actions to stop and

How They Work • Fire retardants have physical and chemical actions to stop and prevent fire. • Cooling- By cooling the fire, the heat barrier decreases and prevents the fire from spreading. The high heat was a large issue is the Waldo canyon fire. • By forming a protective gel-based layer between vegetation, and the flames. • Dilution- Some fire retardants are made to burn. While burning they release copious amounts of water and CO 2 which prevents fire from spreading. http: //i. usatoday. net/news/_photos/2009/05/07/firefightingx-topper-medium. jpg http: //www. chubb. com. au/utcfs/ws-582/Assets/foam%20 fire%201%20. JPG$ASSET

Testable Question Is water or flame retardant more effective in extinguishing a forest fire?

Testable Question Is water or flame retardant more effective in extinguishing a forest fire? This question is general enough to be able to be tested on many different terrains and many different setups, giving us the opportunity to find the best solution for each terrain, but the question is also specific enough to allow us to control the variables present and have a viable experiment with a viable conclusion.

Aim The aim of this proposal is to find the most effective way to

Aim The aim of this proposal is to find the most effective way to fight fires, while not wasting our resources by fighting fires inefficiently. The Waldo Canyon fire was one of the most devastating fires in Colorado in the past years, and the Black Forest fire was the worst one of last year. In both fires, there were multiple deaths, and the lasting impacts are very serious. The flames in both fires have melted the soil, causing flooding as the water could not absorb into the soil. Because of all these serious effects, it is important to dedicate funding to the best resources that can fight the fires when they arise, especially since it is likely that there could be more fires in Colorado.

Proposed Investigation By examining methods used to put out forest fires, we will determine

Proposed Investigation By examining methods used to put out forest fires, we will determine the most effective way to extinguish the flames. We will do this by researching fires of similar size and terrain. By looking at this data, we will be able to evaluate the methods used in each fire and create a more efficient method of extinguishing them. We will also conduct a small scale experiment with small controlled burns using just water, just fire retardant, and a mix of the two to determine which method is more effective by measuring the percentage of fire extinguished.

Data Table Percentage of fire extinguished Model Forest Water # 1 2 3 4

Data Table Percentage of fire extinguished Model Forest Water # 1 2 3 4 5 Mix Flame Retardant

Cost Fire Retardant: $2 per gallon, 1600 gallons Helicopter for dropping retardant: $6000 per

Cost Fire Retardant: $2 per gallon, 1600 gallons Helicopter for dropping retardant: $6000 per hour *14 hours spread over two days = $87200 *14 hours to allow for bad weather or any unexpected variables

Bibliography "Fire Retardant. " Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 03 May 2014. Web. 11 Mar. 2014.

Bibliography "Fire Retardant. " Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 03 May 2014. Web. 11 Mar. 2014. "List of Colorado Wildfires. " Wikipedia. N. p. , 18 Jan. Web. 7 Mar. 2014. "Retardant History. " Retardant History. N. p. , n. d. Web. 11 Mar. 2014. "UCSB Science Line Sqtest. " UCSB Science Line Sqtest. N. p. , n. d. Web. 11 Mar. 2014.