Introduction
Fire is one of the biggest factors that determine management and development taking place in forests around the world. Evolution of certain forest ecosystems has been associated with frequent fires resulting from either human or natural causes while other ecosystems are impacted negatively by forest fires.
Cases of massive destruction of forests from fire are recorded every year leading to huge economic losses. The losses occur owing to the fact that livelihoods, timber, housing, environmental and other recreational facilities are destroyed .
Most of the wildfires occurring in forests nowadays are caused by the wrong use of fire in transforming forests into useful agricultural land, sustaining grazing activities, hunting, preparing land for mineral extraction and establishment of industries among other uses. Land conflicts and negligence such as dropping cigarettes may also be another source of forest fires.
Forest fires have been deemed as the single most channel through which great destruction of forests occur but it also serves as an important method of checking the health composition of certain ecosystems. The conventional perspective that fire is destructive and should be fought immediately leads to the view that it is in fact possible for fire to be used as a management tool in some acceptable ecological conditions.
Background of Kuwait Oil Wells
In February 1938, discoveries were made that the Burgan field in Kuwait was rich in oil. The desert part of Kuwait had been observing unusual black patches but it was not until investigations were done that it was discovered that great wealth lay underground.
In 1921, the country was under the leadership of a visionary and resourceful leader in the name of Sheikh Ahmad who was to take the country through the difficult moments (KPC, 2009). As the 1930s approached, there was a decline in trade and the new ruler together with the people of Kuwait were aware of the prospects of oil mining in other neighboring countries like Saudi Arabia.
In 1932, the discovery of oil in Bahrain made Kuwait pregnant with expectations that the surface deposits indicated that there was underground supply of a commodity capable of boosting the economy of the country. In 1934, the ruler of Kuwait signed the Kuwait Oil Concession Agreement intended at increasing the wealth of Kuwait (KPC, 2009).
Initial drilling of oil started in Bahrain but later recommendations were made to take the process to Burgan. Studies were conducted and drilling in this area was carried out in 1937 and 1938 which led to the discovery of oil. The quantity of oil in this region was high that it gushed out in such a manner that it could not be controlled.
There was no adequate mud to block the hole that had been drilled and this necessitated the use of alternative methods to control the situation. In 1946, Sheikh Ahmad steered plans to start exporting oil to other countries. This elevated Kuwait and was ranked among the world famous oil producers. The same year saw the first shipment of oil from Kuwait, something that was highly celebrated.
The year 1976 marked the onset of a new era when the oil industry in Kuwait was nationalized. Just as the rest of Arab countries that were producing oil, Kuwait started deliberating with its counterparts in a bid to gain full control over its oil resources.
The state continued increasing its share in the biggest oil company in the country until it eventually gained full control. Kuwait signed an agreement with Gulf and British Petroleum according the country complete control over its oil resources (KPC, 2009)
Classes of Fires
With regard to the processes involved in putting off fires, they are normally classified into various classes. The different classes of fires are on the basis of the fuel that ignites the fire, a factor that further gives the criteria for choosing the most suitable agent to be used in extinguishing the fire. On the basis of the type of fuel that causes fire, there are four different types of fires.
Fires Resulting from Ordinary Combustibles
This class of fires is the most prevalent type occurring as a result of heating, ignition and subsequent combustion of organic materials, rubber, plastics and cloth. The fire goes on burning on condition that heat, oxygen, fuel and chemical reactions exist to sustain the process. This class of fire is considered un-harmful as long as it is used in uncontrolled circumstances.
For example, a cap fire where the source of heat is a different fire or natural availability of oxygen and a link of the three chemical reactions. Since the fire is only limited to wood and there are no other flammable substances, it is not dangerous.
However, if a fire of this type is left to burn in an unrestricted environment, it can be dangerous since it can spread to other flammable substances causing it to be difficult to control. When its control becomes a problem then techniques of firefighting are essential.
Containing and putting off fire in this class is relatively easy since it can be extinguished by simply cutting the supply of oxygen, heat, fuel or better still disrupting the chemical reaction that facilitates the process. The most elementary way of eliminating the heat is by spraying water to the burning substances.
Oxygen supply to the fire can be removed using a fire extinguisher. Since this type of fire is the most common, it is important for firefighting departments to have equipment for fighting it in order to prevent damages (Melbourne University, 2004).
Fires Resulting from Gases and Flammable Liquids
This class of fires is caused by gases and liquids that are flammable and capable of undergoing combustion. Just like it has been mentioned in the case of class A fires, this class of fires require fuel, oxygen, heat and chemical reactions for burning to take place. The difference in the fuels that cause fires is that fires from this class are caused by liquids that are highly flammable such as gasoline and natural gas.
Water should not be used to extinguish this type of fires since this has the impact of scattering the fire and making it possible to spread to other places. The fires in this category are extinguished by use of halon and dry chemical extinguishing agents. These agents make it difficult for the chemical reactions to go on hence depleting the fire (Hassam, 2011).
Fires Resulting from Electrical Equipments
This class of fires is of electrical natures which involve electrical equipment which have the potential of being energized. They occur in the event of short circuiting or when electrical cables become overloaded.
These types of fires are very dangerous and cannot be extinguished by use of water since water itself is a good conductor of electricity hence has the potential of making the fire spread fast. These types of fires are extinguished by using extinguishing agents like Carbon dioxide, FM-200 and extinguishers that use dry powder of a chemical nature.
Fires Caused By Metals
This class of fires is caused by ignition of flammable metals such as lithium, sodium and potassium among others. The above mentioned metals ignite at once after their exposure in the air following a reaction with atmospheric oxygen. Among the metals, sodium is the most flammable and its exposure in the air produces sparks hence the safest way of storing it is dipping it in kerosene.
Fire resulting from metals can be dangerous unless measures of control are taken immediately. Just like the electrical fires, using water to extinguish them can worsen the fire hence they require their unique extinguishing agents to put them off (Hassam, 2011).
Traditional Methods of Extinguishing Oil Well Fires
The first traditional method of fighting fire in oil wells is by spraying water on the fire. This method has one benefit in that it initiates a cooling effect on the burning oil. However, the method is not very effective when it comes to fighting oil well fires. Water and oil are immiscible and this ensures that the oil does not get wet hence the oil being heated is not adequately cooled.
The second traditional method used in extinguishing oil well fires is the use of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide does not burn and its density is higher than that of air while it is in the gaseous form so it blankets the fire when sprayed. However, the methods used to deliver the carbon dioxide in oil wells are usually not effective.
This is because the fire is in an oil well where pressurized combustible fluid normally facilitates the fire. The best way to extinguish this fire is to initiate a cooling effect in the surroundings and cutting the supply of oxygen till the fire is extinguished (CIAF, 2011).
The third traditional method used in extinguishing oil well fires is the use of cold fire. This is a chemical associated with plants and once there is presence of heat, it undergoes endothermic reactions. It also surrounds the source of the fuel to ensure that there is no additional burning. Since oxygen, fuel and heat are the key components that cause fire, cold fire takes care of these three components.
The traditional products used extinguish the fire by eliminating oxygen through smothering it in different ways. Some of the traditional methods are messy and usually cause blisters to the skin. For example, the halon extinguisher eliminates oxygen not only for the fire but also in the surroundings posing a danger to human life.
The fourth traditional method used in extinguishing oil well fires is digging diverting wells and completely destroying the main well. This is a dangerous procedure since it puts the operators at grave danger and risks losing the well completely. This deprives the country of a gainful natural resource. It is also a risky method since poisonous gases and radiation pose a risk to the people putting off the fire (CIAF, 2011).
Modern Methods of Extinguishing Oil Well Fires
As a result of the recurrent fires in Kuwait oil wells, it was discovered that the traditional methods that were being used to fight the fires were not sufficient. This crisis necessitated the adoption of new methods of extinguishing fires.
Exploding the wells with Dynamite
This method involves the use of a large pipe through a boom erected on a bulldozer to exactly locate where the well is in order to conduct accurate inspection. After doing this, a drum containing dynamite is suspended at the end of the boom to a bulldozer sprayed with water and then positioned well. The burning well is then sprayed with water with the intention of reducing the temperature.
The bulldozer which is fitted with a galvanized iron shed and a tiny hole for the driver to peep through is then moved towards the source. Dynamite earlier deposited at the source is exploded followed by detonation of the charge.
Explosion of dynamite consumes all the available oxygen hence putting off the fires. This method of extinguishing oil well fires is similar to the traditional method of cold fire which also eliminates oxygen hence putting off the fire (Husain, 1995).
Raising the Plume
Raising the plume is another modern method used to extinguish fire in oil wells in Kuwait. This method involves using a metal casing of between 30 and 40 feet high which is erected above the blown head making the flame to rise above the ground.
This is followed by a constant pumping of water or liquid nitrogen in the casing hence depleting the fire of oxygen supply. The result of this process is the putting off the fire completely. In some cases, wet jet was used to replace the liquid nitrogen.
Directing Water Jets on Water Heads
This is another modern method used to extinguish oil well fires by directing water stream jet towards the source from a safe distance. Various methods are used prominently among them being the big wind method used in Hungary which extinguished the fire within 30-40 seconds.
The other conventional methods took a bit longer in jetting the water to extinguish the fire with temperatures ranging 300 to 400 degrees piling up in the area around the wells.
Accomplishing New Oil Well Extinguishing Methods and their Impact
The new methods of extinguishing oil well fires were accomplished through various ways. For instance, use of dynamite was accomplished by heaping dynamite at the source of the wells then blowing it off. This had the impact of depleting all the available oxygen hence extinguishing the fire. Raising the plume had the effect of elevating the flames high above the ground such that the flames could not destroy the wells.
In accomplishing these new methods, specialists and people with expertise in the fields were used to ensure to ensure the effectiveness of the methods. Finances were also mobilized to meet the high costs involved in the shift from traditional methods into these modern methods (Husain, 1995).
The new methods had a great impact on traditional methods of fire management. Some of the traditional methods that were in place had been described as being ineffective in extinguishing oil well fires. This problem was solved by the new methods. The new methods also eliminated the risks such as contact with poisonous materials associated with traditional fire fighting methods.
Environmental Influence of Gulf War and Oil Fire
The gulf war and oil fire led to numerous environmental influences in the affected areas. There was no clean up in the entire area affected by the oil fires hence sediments of oil remained long after the oil fires had been stopped. Another influence on the environment is that the salt marshes are still present in areas that were affected by the oil fires. The mangroves and the rocky shores are the only features that have recovered from the aftermath of the oil fires (CIAF, 2011).
One of the human influences of the gulf war and the oil fires is the air pollution caused. The black smoke from burning oil fuels obscured the sun causing people not to see well. This smoke carries with itself dangerous air pollutants that are harmful to human beings.
The gulf war and oil fires also had a human influence of making difficult the living conditions of many people. This is because oil is an important economic commodity for Kuwait and its destruction had significant economic implications. The war also led to deterioration of the countries’ economy making the lives of the people difficult.
Conclusion
Fires can be detrimental in that they cause great losses both to individuals and countries. Whether they are oil well fires or other forms of fires, it is crucial to come up with and implement excellent ways of fire management to avert the losses caused. Quick responses in cases of fire outbreaks should be implemented to ensure that whenever fires break they do not spread so easily to other places.
Oil wells should also be designed in such a way that it is not easy for them to catch fire. The design should also be in such a way that the wells can be accessed easily once there are fire outbreaks. Governments should also come up with policies that restrict some of the practices that may lead to fires. Implementing these strategies will ensure that fires that often have negative implications are reduced.
Reference List
CIAF. (2011). Fundamentals of Fire Fighter Skills. New York: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Hassam. (2011). Classes Of Fire. Web.
Husain, T. (1995). Kuwaiti oil fires: regional environmental perspectives. London: Elisivier.
KPC. (2009). Kuwait Oil History. Web.
Melbourne University. (2004). Classes of Fires. Web.
NHM. (2011). Forest Fires. Web.