FOREST FIRES

Forest fires, also known as wildfires, are uncontrolled fires that occur in forests, grasslands, or other wildlands. These fires can spread rapidly, consuming vegetation, wildlife, and sometimes human structures. They can be caused by natural phenomena such as lightning strikes or human activities like campfires, discarded cigarettes, or arson. Forest fires play a natural role in ecosystems, helping to clear out dead vegetation, promote new growth, and maintain overall ecosystem health. However, when fires become too intense or frequent, they can pose significant risks to human life, property, and the environment.

ANALAYSIS OF FOREST FIRES IN INDIA

• Forest Fire Season in India : Typically extends from November to June.
• Peak Frequency : February to May, with April and May being the highest.
• Vulnerability : Over 36% of India's forest cover prone to fires.
• 4% extremely prone, 6% very highly prone.

• Fire Prone Areas

• Highest incidents in Mizoram, Manipur, Assam, Meghalaya, Maharashtra.
• Southern states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu affected.
• Evergreen and semi-evergreen forests in South India generally less vulnerable.
• More than 62% of Indian states are prone to high-intensity forest fires according to CEEW report
• Mizoram has had the highest number of wildfire incidences in the last two decades, with more than 95% of its districts being forest fire hotspots.

CLASSIFICATION OF FOREST FIRES

1. Crown Fires

• Crown fires burn through the upper canopy of trees, spreading rapidly from treetop to treetop.
• They are the most intense and dangerous type of forest fire, often fuelled by strong winds, steep slopes, and heavy fuel loads.
• Crown fires are challenging to contain and can cause significant damage to forest ecosystems and nearby communities.

2. Surface Fires

• Surface fires burn only surface litter such as dried leaves, twigs, and grasses.\
• They are the easiest type of fire to extinguish and cause the least damage to the forest.
• Surface fires are often fuelled by parched grass or fallen leaves and are typically less intense than crown fires.

3. Ground Fires

• Ground fires, also known as underground or subsurface fires, occur in deep accumulations of humus, peat, and other dead vegetation.
• These fires move slowly and burn beneath the surface, making them difficult to detect and suppress.
• Ground fires can smoulder for extended periods, sometimes even an entire season, until conditions are right for them to grow into surface or crown fires.
• They can destroy the vegetative cover of the soil and may burn for months, posing a long-term threat to forest ecosystems.

CAUSES OF FOREST FIRES

1. Natural Causes

• Lightning strikes: Lightning can ignite fires when it strikes trees or vegetation.
• Weather conditions: High atmospheric temperatures, low humidity, and dry spells create favourable conditions for fires to start and spread.
• Wind speed and direction: Strong winds can spread fires rapidly, while wind direction can influence the direction of fire spread.
• Temperature and humidity: High temperatures and low humidity levels create dry conditions conducive to fire ignition and spread.

2. Man-made Causes

• Human activities: Activities such as campfires, discarded cigarettes, burning debris, agricultural burning, and industrial activities can all lead to forest fires.
• Electrical sparks: Malfunctioning electrical equipment, power lines, or machinery can generate sparks that ignite fires.
• Population pressure: Rising human and cattle populations increase the likelihood of human-caused fires due to activities such as grazing, shifting cultivation, and demand for forest products.
• Land-use changes: Deforestation, land clearing, and urbanization can alter landscapes and increase the risk of fires..

FACTORS FOR FOREST FIRES IN INDIA IN 2024

1. Conducive Atmosphere  : Factors such as hot and dry temperatures, high tree density, and low humidity create an environment conducive to fire ignition and propagation.
2. High Aridity: Southern India has experienced high aridity and above-normal day temperatures in 2024, leading to dry conditions and increased fire risk.
3. High Temperature: February was recorded as the hottest month in South India since 1901, with January being the fifth warmest. These exceptionally high temperatures have accelerated the drying of biomass in forests, making them more susceptible to ignition.
4. Summer Season: Clear sky conditions and calm winds during the early phase of the summer season further exacerbate the risk of forest fires.
5. Clear Skies: Clear skies increase solar radiation, intensifying the drying process of vegetation.
6. Calm Winds: Calm winds allow fires to spread more rapidly.
7. Excess Heat Factor (EHF): The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of the prevalence of the Excess Heat Factor (EHF) over western Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring Karnataka. EHF quantifies heat wave intensity relative to the local climate and indicates excess temperature based on recent extreme temperatures.
8. Heat Waves: Elevated maximum temperatures, reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius in mid-March, indicate an increased risk of heat waves, further intensifying the fire hazard.
9. Mild Aridity: The absence of rain and prevailing high temperatures have led the IMD to classify almost all districts of southern India under 'mild' aridity, exacerbating the susceptibility of forests to fire incidents.

ADVANTAGES OF FOREST FIRES

1. Seed Germination and Regeneration: Some tree species, like certain pine trees, rely on fires to open their cones and release seeds, promoting regeneration and new growth in the forest.
2. Clearing Dead Wood and Debris: Forest fires can clear out dead wood, brush, and other debris on the forest floor, reducing fuel loads and minimizing the risk of future fires.
3. Promoting Biodiversity: Fires create openings in the forest canopy, allowing sunlight to reach the forest floor. This stimulates the growth of new vegetation, promoting biodiversity and creating habitats for a variety of plant and animal species.
4. Natural Forest Management: Forest fires play a natural role in forest management, helping to maintain ecosystem health and balance., They can remove invasive species, stimulate nutrient cycling, and create diverse habitats for wildlife.
5. Control of Disease and Pests: Forest fires can help control the spread of diseases and pests by clearing out infected or infested vegetation, reducing the risk of further spread to healthy trees and plants.
6. Cultural and Ecological Significance: In some ecosystems, indigenous cultures have long used controlled burns as a traditional land management practice to promote ecological health and cultural traditions.

CONSEQUENCES OF FOREST FIRES

1. Climate Impact

• Wildfires release billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming and climate change.
• The loss of vegetation reduces the Earth's capacity to absorb carbon dioxide, disrupting the carbon cycle and exacerbating climate change.

2. Ecological Damage

• High-intensity wildfires can destroy vast areas of forests, leading to the loss of flora and fauna.
• Habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity can have long-term ecological consequences, affecting ecosystem functioning and resilience.

3. Economic Losses

• Many communities rely on forests for food, fodder, fuel, and livelihoods. Wildfires can devastate local economies by destroying valuable timber resources, agricultural land, and infrastructure.
• The costs of fire fighting efforts, property damage, and loss of income can impose significant financial burdens on affected communities and governments.

4. Environmental Degradation

• Wildfires burn down small shrubs and grasses, leaving soil exposed and vulnerable to erosion.
• Increased erosion can lead to landslides, sedimentation of waterways, and degradation of water quality, impacting ecosystems and human settlements downstream.

5. Health Impacts

• Wildfire smoke contains harmful pollutants, including particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds, which can exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.
• Changes in air quality and the microclimate of affected areas can create unhealthy living conditions for both humans and wildlife.

6. Ozone Depletion

• Excessive wildfires can release large amounts of aerosols and pollutants into the atmosphere, contributing to ozone layer depletion processes.
• Ozone depletion can have harmful effects on human health and ecosystems, including increased UV radiation exposure and damage to aquatic and terrestrial organisms.

FOREST FIRE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES IN INDIA

1. Forest Survey of India (FSI): Monitoring of forest fires using satellite data and initiation of the Large Forest Fire Monitoring Programme using SNPP-VIIRS data.
2. Early Warning Systems: Utilization of MODIS and SNPP-VIIRS sensors to detect forest fires and provide real-time monitoring.
3. Fire Danger Rating: Implementation of the Forest Fire Danger Rating System, based on the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System (CFFDRS), for early warnings.
4. National Action Plan: Empowerment of forest fringe communities and incentivization of collaboration with forest departments to minimize forest fires.
5. National Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme: A Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at enhancing the prevention, control, and management of forest fires in the country.
6. Bambi Bucket: Specialized container suspended by a cable under a helicopter, used for aerial water discharge over fires to suppress them.
7. Joint Forest Management (JFM): Involvement of local communities in forest management, including protection, developmental work, and improvement of forests, which extends to the management of forest fires.