Air Travel and Transportation Disruption – Wildfire Consequences

In this Article

Natural disasters have a significant effect on transport networks, frequently preventing the smooth movement of people and commodities. In this article of our “Wildfire Unleashed” Series we discuss the negative impacts of wildfires on highways and airports. We will explore the reasons for highway and airport closures during wildfires, the ensuing interruptions to travel schedules, and the wider effects on supply chains and logistics. It’s critical to comprehend these difficulties and investigate ways in which preparedness and emergency response might lessen the effects of wildfires on transportation. Let’s examine the complex network of air travel disruption and transportation issues brought on by wildfires.

Wildfires and Airport closure

Wildfires can quickly grow to be a serious hazard to transportation infrastructure because they are frequently started by a combination of dry weather, high temperatures, and ignition sources like lightning strikes or human activity. Wind-driven and vegetation-fuelled, these fires spread quickly and are challenging to contain (British Red Cross, 2023). Airports are extremely dangerous for travellers as well as the buildings themselves when wildfires invade them.

One crucial factor in airport closures due to wildfires is the prevailing weather conditions. The direction and speed of the wind can have a significant impact on how quickly the fire spreads and how much of a threat it is to airport operations. Strong winds, for example, can cause smoke and flames to fly towards an airport, reducing visibility and making take-offs and landings more difficult (Picchi, 2023).

Aviation authorities may be compelled by these circumstances to halt airport operations until things settle down (Brotak, 2011). The physical effects of wildfires also affect airports. Runways, taxiways, and terminals at airports are among the infrastructure that might sustain damage from the heat of adjacent flames. Furthermore, there is a serious operational risk since smoke from the fires can penetrate vital systems like communication and air traffic control.

Significant travel disruptions have occurred as a result of smoke from Canadian wildfires drifting across the eastern United States. Major airports and travel hubs experienced aircraft delays and cancellations. The decreased visibility and air quality issues are making it difficult for airlines to run their flights on time. This unexpected environmental challenge caused long delays and several cancellations for passengers, underscoring the extensive effects of natural occurrences on air travel (Arkin & Blackman, 2023).

Airport closures brought on by wildfires have an impact on passenger travel schedules in addition to wider economic ramifications. Rerouting or cancelling flights presents a difficulty for airlines and can result in expensive disruptions to schedules and passenger accommodations. Furthermore, travellers could get stuck and experience costly delays and cancellations, which can be annoying as well as aggravating. In places where wildfires are likely, the tourist and hospitality sectors suffer as well because travellers may postpone their travel plans, which lowers sales for nearby establishments.

Wildfires and Highway Closures

Christiansen et al., (2023) states that highways can be severely damaged by wildfires, which can result in road closures that cause delays to travel schedules and transit arrangements. These closures are caused by a number of circumstances. Safety is one of the main issues. Wildfires can produce dangerous driving conditions because of the smoke and flames that decrease visibility. It is dangerous for drivers to travel on the impacted routes because of this. The issue may worsen when the fire’s tremendous heat damages overpasses and bridges, among other transportation infrastructure.

Road closures are frequently implemented as a preventative measure to guarantee traveller safety and avoid mishaps or injuries. Before deciding to close a highway, authorities must evaluate the wildfire’s closeness, its rate of progress, and the current meteorological conditions. It can be difficult to predict when and where these closures will take place due to the unpredictable nature of wildfires.

Numerous mitigating strategies have been put in place to address the problem of highway closures during wildfires. Among these precautions are controlled burns, in which officials purposefully set fire to plants in a controlled way to form firebreaks and lower the possibility of wildfires spreading to roads (National Geographic Society, 2023).

Furthermore, enhanced communication and information sharing have developed into indispensable resources for travellers’ trip planning. Travel plans and logistics can be less disrupted by receiving real-time data on road closures and other routes, which facilitates improved decision-making.

Even with these efforts, supply networks and businesses may still face logistical difficulties when highways are closed due to wildfires. The availability of goods and services in impacted areas might be significantly impacted by delays in the movement of goods and services. Disruptions in the supply chain can also raise expenses and make it harder to satisfy consumer demands, which can have an impact on the whole economy.

Disruption of travel plans and logistics

Millions of passengers and logistical procedures are impacted by the disruption that wildfires give to the travel industry, which extends beyond the closure of highways and airports. Let’s examine the many aspects of this disruption:

Airline cancellations and stranded travellers: Wildfires frequently result in airline cancellations, leaving travellers stuck at airports. Their immediate travel arrangements are not only interfered with, but it also has a cascading effect on other flights and connections. Travellers could get stranded in strange cities and have to deal with uncertainty and inconvenience. Airlines are obligated to offer reimbursement and lodging, which might have a big financial effect.

Air travel delays and rerouting: The presence of wildfires in the area can cause major delays in air travel, even if airports stay open. In order to avoid impacted areas, airlines may need to reroute flights, which would lengthen travel times and complicate the logistics of handling huge numbers of passengers. Flight schedules can be chaotic, which impacts passengers’ experience as well as the operational effectiveness of airlines.

Effects on the travel and hospitality sectors: Travellers may decide not to go on their planned vacations, which would mean lost money for local establishments like restaurants and hotels. The tourism sector, which frequently depends on seasonal fluctuations, may suffer long-term consequences as a result of cancellations and unfavourable opinions of regions that are prone to wildfires.

Challenges faced by logistics and supply chain management: Logistical difficulties arise from wildfire-related transportation disruptions that impact the flow of supplies and goods. There may be significant effects on supply networks, which would delay the delivery of necessities. This has wider economic ramifications because industries depend on timely product movement. Furthermore, rising expenses related to rerouting shipments and guaranteeing product safety may result in increasing costs for customers.

Emergency Response and Preparedness

An efficient emergency response and readiness strategy is essential in the event of a wildfire, as these events have the ability to impede air travel and other forms of transportation. To effectively handle the problem, firefighting crews and transportation organisations must collaborate closely.

The creation and implementation of evacuation plans are essential components of this coordination. Having strong evacuation plans is crucial to ensuring the security of locals and visitors in wildfire-prone areas. The public should be informed about these measures via a variety of means, and everyone should know what to do in the event of a wildfire emergency.

Technology is crucial to the management and forecasting of wildfires. The tracking of wildfires with advanced weather forecasting, remote sensing, and real-time monitoring technologies facilitates the prediction of their trajectories and severity (WFCA, 2012). When making decisions on airport and road closures and developing evacuation plans, this information can be extremely important.

In order to effectively manage wildfires, emergency responders also need to have the right tools and training. This entails possessing the appropriate tools, like aeroplanes and fire engines for dropping water or fire retardant, as well as the know-how to employ them effectively. Frequent exercises and role-plays can guarantee first responders are prepared to handle the swift and erratic nature of wildfires (Scottish Government, 2013).

Closing Remarks

Wildfires pose a significant threat to transport infrastructure, leading to the closures of airports and highways. Travellers may experience pandemonium as a result of these interruptions, which may also have a detrimental effect on the travel and hospitality sectors and present difficulties for supply chain management and logistics. However, we can try to lessen the effect of wildfires on transportation by encouraging emergency response and planning as well as utilising technology for early identification and management. In order to prevent wildfires and build resilience in areas that are prone to them, it is imperative that both individuals and communities take proactive measures. The ability to adapt and efficiently respond to the constant threat of wildfires will determine the future of air travel and transportation in these areas.

Sources

Arkin, D., & Blackman, J. (2023, June 8). Canadian wildfire smoke disrupts U.S. Air Travel. NBC News. Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/news/canadian-wildfire-smoke-disrupts-us-air-travel-rcna88335

British Red Cross. (2023, August 8). Wildfires and grassfires: what are they and why are they happening now? Retrieved from https://www.redcross.org.uk/stories/disasters-and-emergencies/uk/what-is-a-wildfire-and-what-is-a-grassfire#:~:text=How%20do%20grassfires%20or%20wildfires,these%20come%20from%20human%20activity.

Brotak, E. (2011, March 3). Wildfires make their own weather. Flight Safety Foundation. Retrieved from https://www.citethisforme.com/cite/website/autocite?q=https%3A%2F%2Fflightsafety.org%2Fasw-article%2Fwildfires-make-their-own-weather%2F

Christiansen, K.; Mostafiz, R.B.; Assi, A.A.; Friedland, C.J.; Rohli, R.V.; Dunn, C.J. Physical Impacts of 2020 Labor Day Wildfires to Oregon Highways. Preprints 2023, 2023100578. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202310.0578.v1

National Geographic Society. (2023, October 19). Controlled burning. Retrieved from https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/controlled-burning/

Picchi, A. (2023, June 8). Wildfire smoke causes flight delays across northeast. here’s what to know about the disruptions. CBS News. Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/flights-lga-phl-dca-delays-cancellations-wildfires/

Scottish Government. (2013, August 13). Fire and rescue service wildfire operational guidance. Scottish Government. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/fire-rescue-service-wildfire-operational-guidance/pages/22/

WFCA. (2023, August 8). What technology is used to predict wildfires?. Retrieved from https://wfca.com/articles/fire-prediction-technology/