Is there peat in Wales?
Peatlands occur throughout Wales and can be divided into two broad types – bogs and fens. Bogs have predominately acidic peat which is poor in minerals. They are largely reliant on rainfall for water and nutrients. Peat is most extensive in the uplands.
Why are peatlands burned?
Across the uplands of northern England, large areas of peatland habitats have been routinely and deliberately burnt, largely to support a single industry – grouse shooting. The reason they are burnt on shooting estates is to encourage the growth of young heather on which the red grouse feed.
Why are there fires in bogs?
Bogs are home to peat, a collection of decayed organic matter and vegetation. This peatland collects more carbon than any other means on Earth. When peat burns, it can burn deep underground for metres, even in damp conditions, until its fuel is exhausted.
How long can a peat fire burn?
Dry peat ignites very easily and can burn for days or weeks, even smouldering underground and re-emerging away from the initial source (Fig. 1 & 2). This makes these fires incredibly difficult to extinguish, and highly unpredictable and uncontrollable.
Are bogs flammable?
When dug up, peat is inherently flammable and is used in some places as a source of fuel. But in their natural, wet state, peatlands are resistant to fires. Even after months of drought, healthy peatlands stay moist.
Are there bogs in Wales?
Raised bogs are one of Wales’ rarest and most important habitats and, because of their environmental interest and importance, they are designated Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). Only seven of the sites in Wales are designated as SAC, and these represent over 10% of the UK SAC resource of raised bogs.
What is peatland restoration?
Peatland Restoration is a term used to describe management measures that aim to restore the original form and function of peatland habitats to favourable conservation status. Peatlands are vulnerable ecosystems in a wider landscape. Different types of management can result in different outcomes.
How do you extinguish a peat moss fire?
A safe and biodegradable formula, Peat FireX breaks through the duff layer while other products simply run off. Once Peat FireX breaks the surface tension of the soil, the product penetrates deep into peat and muck, stopping fires cold. And it stops peat fires with significantly less water and resources.
How do you put out a peat fire?
New Imperial research shows a fire suppressant, when combined with water, cuts the amount of time and water needed to extinguish peat fires by 40%. The researchers say this is a big step in tackling smouldering peat fires, which are the largest fires on Earth.
Do the Irish still burn peat?
Ireland’s peat dependence Even though turf is inefficient and its fuel value is much lower than coal’s, it’s burned in power plants to create electricity. Still, the Irish government is phasing out peat for electricity and in 2020 the last power plant to exclusively use it went offline.
What is a peat fire?
Instead of sending towering flames upward, a peat fire burns in the opposite direction, smoldering deep in the soil. Oftentimes, firefighters will soak the ground with water and declare victory, only for the soil to reignite a surface fire months later.
How do you extinguish a peat fire?
What is a peat bog fire?
What is a peat bog fire? Bogs are home to peat, a collection of decayed organic matter and vegetation. When peat burns, it can burn deep underground for metres, even in damp conditions, until its fuel is exhausted. These fires are known to smoulder underground, even riding out the winter months.
Can we restore the lost peatlands of South Wales?
Many peat bogs have also been drained for farming. The team behind the Lost Peatlands of South Wales project is developing plans to restore over 540 hectares (1,334 acres) of historic landscape and habitat in Neath Port Talbot and Rhondda Cynon Taff. They would create peat bogs and pools, heathland, grassland and native woodland.
What is the life Welsh raised bogs project?
The LIFE Welsh Raised Bogs project is the first national restoration programme for raised bogs and for any peatland habitat in Wales. The 4-year pioneering and ambitious project aims to restore seven of the very best examples of raised bogs in Wales. Almost 4 square miles (over 900 hectares) will be restored to a better condition.
What is an underground bog fire?
Bogs are home to peat, a collection of decayed organic matter and vegetation. When peat burns, it can burn deep underground for metres, even in damp conditions, until its fuel is exhausted. These fires are known to smoulder underground, even riding out the winter months. Click to see full answer.