Embracing Flames: Building a Fire-Resistant Future

Embracing Flames: Building a Fire-Resistant Future

‘By red flower, Bagheera meant fire, only no creature in the jungle will call fire by its proper name. Every beast lives in deadly fear of it, and invents a hundred ways of describing it.’

Fire – one of Earth’s most untamable forces, has been both a destroyer and creator throughout the planet's history. This blazing phenomenon shaped ecosystems long before humans even existed and played an important role in true evolution. History has provided ample evidence that fire-dependent ecosystems existed as far back as the Silurian period, 420 million years ago including charcoal fossils of the giant fungi- Protataxites. Yet, for the rest of the world, it wasn’t until the 5th century BC that fire became symbolically significant, when, the Greek philosopher Empedocles proposed the theory of cosmogony which stated that the terrestrial world was made up of four ‘roots’ or elements and, linked them to the mythical gods- Zeus, Hera, Nestis, and Aidoneus respectively. Thus, fire officially earned its place in the story of creation.

Inspired by Empedocles' ideas, philosophers and researchers began crafting incredulous myths and theories around fire—one of the most famous ones being the mythical fire-proof salamander. Medieval lore claimed that these amphibians were born in flames (much like the legendary phoenix), so cold that they could extinguish fires with merely their touch, and thus, this little creature was mythologized as both a miraculous survivor and a fiery menace.

In fact, the narrative became so inflated later, that in the 13th century, there were rumors spread about the great army of Alexander being destroyed when they unfortunately drank water from a river that was infested with salamanders, supposedly killing over 2,000 horses and 4,000 soldiers. Not even the great Leonardo Da Vinci could resist adding fuel to this growing fire, claiming it “has no digestive organs, and gets no food but from the fire, in which it constantly renews its scaly skin.”

While these wild stories entertained imaginations for centuries, the reality was, funnily, far simpler. Salamanders, as modern science discovered, merely hid in rotting logs and when these logs were tossed into fires, the salamanders would flee from the flames, giving the illusion of being born from fire.?

This however begs the question- are there really any fire-proof animals in the world?

To put it simply, the answer is- not yet.??

While there aren’t yet any species genuinely immune to fire, evolution has gifted some creatures with extraordinary adaptations that make them fire-resistant or able to thrive in fire-affected environments. With wildfires becoming increasingly common due to climate change, it’s fascinating to see how some organisms are uniquely equipped to handle the heat.

1.? ? ? Black fire beetles:

Being the ultimate pyromaniac, beetles of the genus Melanophila, commonly known as fire chaser beetles, are attracted to forest fires because it reduces the likelihood of their predator’s presence. What sets them apart, however, is their sensory adaptation- organs with infrared receptors that contain a small pocket of water that expands when heat-induced chemicals are detected, triggering a nervous system response to follow the heat source. Once they zero in on a blaze, they move in to lay eggs in the freshly burned wood, taking advantage of the reduced competition. These crafty critters can also withstand extreme temperatures because of a copper enzyme they use to create an exoskeleton, akin to a heat-resistant suit of armor.

2.? ? ? Antechinus:

Some fire-adapted small marsupials like the yellow-footed antechinus (Antechinus flavipes) and egg-laying mammals like echidnas have an intriguing way to survive fires: they take a nap. This condition called torpor is a temporary hibernation where they slow their metabolism and reduce their body temperatures, hiding in safe, sheltered, and hidden places like hollowed tree logs or underground burrows. In fact, this survival strategy is so brilliant that researchers even suspect that it may have been what allowed mammals to survive the colossal asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs.

3.? ? ? Microorganisms:

Not only do animals display fire resilience, but even the tiniest of life forms- microorganisms, play a vital role in fire-adapted ecosystems. Some species of fungi, bacteria, and yeast not only survive fires but seem to thrive in the aftermath. These resilient organisms, known as pyrophilic species, help rejuvenate the soil post-fire, contributing to the rebirth of ecosystems.

What about fire-proof plants?

While animals have developed ways to avoid or escape wildfires, some plants have evolved to thrive in them. In certain cases, fire is not considered an enemy but a key part of their life cycle.

Take Pinus halepensis (Aleppo pine), a tree found in Mediterranean regions. The seeds of this plant are stored in serotinous cones, which only open in response to the heat of a fire. This ensures that the seeds are released into a landscape cleared of competitors and enriched with nutrients from the ashes. It's a brilliant evolutionary gamble - waiting for fire to signal the perfect moment to reproduce.

The sequoias of California (Sequoiadendron giganteum) are another fire-adapted marvel. These ancient giants boast incredibly thick bark that shields them from flames. Fire not only spares them but often benefits them by clearing out competing underbrush, allowing young sequoia seedlings to thrive.

Another example of fire-adapted plants can be found in the Australian outback, where the Eucalyptus species dominate. These trees have oil-rich leaves that encourage fire and while that seems pretty counterintuitive, these trees are so well-adapted that they use it to outcompete other species. By playing with fire, they both eliminate competitors and take advantage of the post-fire nutrient surge.

So, what does the future of fire resistance look like?

The history of fire resistance in the natural world is an incredible example of nature’s adaptability. From the ancient coniferous forests that evolved serotinous seeds, to the mammals and birds that have developed behavioural adaptations to survive wildfires, fire has shaped the evolution of countless species. However, nature doesn’t have a monopoly on fire-proofing.?

Wildfires and fires in general cause a lot of damage to the ecosystem but by understanding the genetic and cellular mechanisms behind fire resistance in nature, scientists have already started laying the foundations for future innovations- such as the usage of genetic engineering (the manipulation of genetic traits, transfer of genes in organisms), biomimetics (fire-resistant compound usage) and soil-regenerative microbial solutions to survive in a fire-prone world. As climate change stokes more wildfires, the key to the future will be balancing fire management with conservation efforts, ensuring that both nature and technology can thrive in this ever-changing, flame-kissed landscape.

Prateeti Dhavale

Biotechnology student at MIT World Peace University

1 个月

Very informative!!

Harleen Khanuja

SY Student @MITWPU, Pune | Bachelors of Computer Applications |

1 个月

Insightful?

Rui Agashe

SY Student of Biotechnology at MIT World Peace University

1 个月

so interesting!!!

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