Since the dawn of time, forests and plant species have had to deal with the devastating effects of fire, and have had to learn ways to recover after the flames. Certain forests have created special ways in order to make themselves more fire adaptive. Sand pines are a southeastern species that grow on sand dunes near shorelines. These pines have special pine cones known as serothinous cones that automatically reseed after a fire. Ponderosa pines, which are predominately southwest, have very thick bark in order to protect the trees better from being scorched. The chaparral is a type of scrub forest that grow in the Mediterranean climate. The evergreen oaks, and other species are adapted to fire in several ways, such as some have thicker leaves, or will regrow quickly. The sequoia redwood actually needs fire in order to maintain its dominance, without fire, the sequoia can be chocked out by oaks and other pines.
Forests and plants have evolved to be very adaptable to fire. Even in devastation, life will find a way to take hold again in an area. However, when a fire gets out of control, there are many who pay the price. Fire might be a destroyer, but it can also help to give life in return. This video I have attached here is a short clip of a resident escaping a wildfire that has gone out of control. It is some pretty intense stuff, but worth a look see!
"Fire Adapted Forests and Fire Ecology." Fire Adapted Forests and Fire Ecology. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 May 2016. <http://envirosci.net/111/succession/fire_ecology.htm>.
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