The Uttarakhand wildfire, a major environmental event in India, razed more than 900 hectares of forest land. Records indicate a rise in forest fires from 4,225 reported cases between November 2018 to an alarming 14,107 by February 2019. These figures, according to the Real-Time Forest Alert System of the Forest Survey of India (FSI), call for an urgent overview of the causes, types, and effects of wildfires; along with effective mitigation strategies.
Triggers of Wildfires: Human Vs. Natural Causes
Research shows that approximately 90% of wildfires are man-made. Negligence such as unattended campfires or improper disposal of cigarette butts often results in these destructive disasters. Other significant causes include intentional arson, accidents, debris burning, and fireworks.
However, wildfires can also be a result of natural phenomena. Lightning is a common trigger, while volcanic eruptions releasing hot magma cause lava flow into forests, sparking fires. Additionally, climatic conditions like high atmospheric temperatures and dryness create favorable environments for wildfires, with climate change contributing to warmer temperatures and drier conditions over time.
A Closer Look at Wildland Fires
Three basic types of forest fires exist: Crown fires, Surface fires, and Ground fires. Crown fires are the most dangerous, consuming trees entirely from base to top. Conversely, Surface fires, which only burn surface litter and duff, cause the least forest damage and are comparatively easier to extinguish. Lastly, Ground fires occur in deep accumulations of humus or dead vegetation that are dry enough to burn. They move slowly but can become challenging to suppress and may smolder underground during prolonged droughts, reemerging in spring.
The Impact of Fire on Ecosystems
Fires can bring about mosaic patterns within ecosystems as they burn different sections unevenly. This generates a varied regrowth rate that results in a vegetation mosaic. Regarding soil conditions, fires can serve both as a boon or bane. They can enrich the soil by increasing its mineral content and promoting microbial activity. However, intense heat can render soil particles water-repellant, causing runoff during rain and leading to erosion.
‘Black carbon’ from the smog and the ash of wildfires pose a significant threat to glaciers, making them more prone to melting. The resultant polluted river water and increased average temperatures, like the 0.2 degree Celsius rise in northern India due to forest fires in 2016, adversely affect the climate and precipitation patterns.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total hectares burnt | 900+ hectares |
| Increased fire cases | From 4,225 (Nov ’18) to 14,107 (Feb ’19) |
| Major wildfire causes | Human negligence (90%) |
| Types of forest fires | Crown fires, surface fires, ground fires |
| Primary ecosystem effects | Mosaic patterns, altered soil conditions, increased temperatures |
Fire Mitigation Strategies
FSI has initiated the development of early warning and fire danger rating systems. Efforts are on to digitalize management boundaries to accurately report fires. Integrating ground-based detection with satellite-based alert systems may enhance fire alert efficiencies.
Community engagement is equally crucial in fire mitigation. Training communities to use fire responsibly can significantly prevent damaging and uncontrollable fires. Extending training beyond state-managed forests to community-managed regions may also prove beneficial for wider forest estate management.