Forest Fires

[user123]

I'm sitting here with a stonking headache, no, not booze related, I don't want to turn on the news, much too early in the day, stepdaughter and little babby will be here soon and I read this thread and all I can think of is that I don't understand, I REALLY don't understand what drives anyone to such mindlessness, violence, cruelty. What drives people do be sick cretins? And yes, they are the minority, luckily, always.

All the places I have travelled to I have encountered nothing but kindness and joy of life in ordinary human beings, when the news where full of horror stories about the countries there, Ireland, Egypt, Morocco... the only place I was seriously attacked in by a complete stranger was in London. I love Ireland because of the people I have met, same about the other places. The news do us all a disservice, making us sad and disheartened about the state of the world, never ever encouraging people to spread the many many good news that happen every day. We can't change bad people, bad news, but we can change how we think, what we do.

For now all each of us needs to get back to basics and know that it's another gorgeous sunny day to enjoy. :daisy:

 

[enduro]

Most of these fires in the Uk are in softwood plantations (Pine trees) these trees were planted in the 60's & 70's by the forestry commision for timber for the building and paper trade. Ancient woodlands and Heathland were destroyed to make way for these vast plantation. Now there is no market for this timber due to cheaper and better imported timber. These plantations have the trees planted so close to draw the trees up very quickly so there is no light on the ground so nothing else grows. So to me these fires in my view are the best thing to happen to the plantations, as the timber will never be harvested. Then the natural regeneration of ancient trees and plants will start to grow as the seed bank in the soil gets the light and the Pine trees will not grow. I know a few animals will get caught up in the fire and that is sad but wildlife will thrive much better in this enviroment. When i was involved with forestry we had some big sites burnt and now they look amazing with all of the different species of birds, butterflies etc.

 

[user123]

These are gorse fires we're talking about right now, Andrew, not forest fires? We're having some gorse fires just now not far from us, and it's not hot enough to be an act of nature, so the logical conclusion is...human stupidity, unless some sheep somwhere was a careless smoker.

The gorse of course was encouraged to feed the steam engines of the tin mines, that's when most of the killing off of great British forests began.

 

[enduro]

I know we are talking about gorse, but gorse takes over aswell so a good burn gives everything else a chance to grow. Thats why you see people like the RSPB doing controled burns of Gorse, get rids of the old plants encouraging new grow. Let it burn!!!

 

[user123]

I know we are talking about gorse, but gorse takes over aswell so a good burn gives everything else a chance to grow. Thats why you see people like the RSPB doing controled burns of Gorse, get rids of the old plants encouraging new grow. Let it burn!!!

Ah, I bow to your greater experience... actually up here it's the moors, heather, not gorse .. seems to happen every year, so not sure what the outcome of that would be.

I just thought, it's YOU, isn't it, it's YOU who's been wandering around with matches in your pocket!! :lol:

 

[enduro]

Ah, I bow to your greater experience... actually up here it's the moors, heather, not gorse .. seems to happen every year, so not sure what the outcome of that would be.

I just thought, it's YOU, isn't it, it's YOU who's been wandering around with matches in your pocket!! :lol:

Ha ha...sounds like it could be me!!!

 

[hillhead]

I know a part time fireman too who lives in the mountains I see on fire !
Good point Jay.
I must ring him, lol.

 

[Dan]

I live at reasonable altitude and have a great view.
But tonight i can see at least 5 big fires on various mountains within 20 miles from me.
Not nice for the animals and creatures who live up there or the people in the villages around as the smoke is so bad.
Some of these fires have been started deliberately the police have said.
BBC News - Gorse fires 'putting lives at risk' on the Mournes

Shocking stuff! Hope it is the two they've caught!

 

[tommyzooom]

Bad fire in Donegal too



Wildfires Continue To Rage In Donegal And Down - Irish Weather Online

Most of these fires are a freak of the recent weather, including the severe winter, which killed off a lot of the gorse. And the recent dry weather has made it tinder dry,
It saddens me that the acts of a tiny minority, are able to affect the views people have of Northern Ireland, most of whom have never set foot in this beautiful place