This is a heavily detailed case study of the Alberta Wildfires. It appears in the Hazards topic of AQA A-level Geography. This document provides lots of extra contextual information which can help reach an A* grade. There is a large mass of information and example questions and answers.
1. Describe thespatialandtemporalsetting of the wildfire.
Spatial setting:
W
● here / when did the event take place?
● What areas did it affect?
● How large was the area affected?
Temporal setting:
● Do wildfires occur regularly in this area/country? When was the last one?
Where: SW Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada
When: 1st May 2016 (started) → 5th July 2016 (declared under control) → 2nd August 2017 (fully extinguished)
Areas affected: Beacon Hills, Waterways, Abasand
Size of area: 600,000 hectares
Are Wildfires frequent in Alberta: Yes, they are becoming more and more common especially in the dry season
Frequency of Wildfires in Canada: High, roughly 8000 per year
Last Wildfire in Canada: Recently (they are very common)
2. A
ssess theperceptionof the wildfire, and the factorsaffecting those perceptions at a range of
scales– E.g. magnitude, frequency, population characteristicsetc.
● Is the populationpreparedfor such events? How?
● How were the people affected by the wildfire? Were they all affected in the same way?
● How can the magnitude of this event change people’s perception of future events?
● How has/will the frequency of wildfires in this area affect their perceptions?
● How do the population characteristics (e.g. dense/sparse, religion, culture, socio-economic status) affect their
beliefs? Do the local population practice the theory of adaptation or fatalism?
The population was prepared:
. H
1 IC’s have evacuation plans/good preparation plans
2. Fires are common so the public likely had good knowledge/was educated
The effects on people:
. L oss of homes/cars etc. (property)
1
2. Businesses destroyed → loss of income
3. Lots of economic impacts
Perception for future:
. T hey are more aware of how large a fire can get
1
2. Increases expectations/education since they had never been a fire of such magnitude before
3. More likely to adapt/prepare individually since fires are becoming more frequent so it’s more expected
3. Explain thecausesof the wildfire.
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