Forest fire : Causes and Types:

Why in News? Recently, At least five people have lost their lives in the fires that have now spread over 1,000 hectares of forests in much of Uttarakhand. There is a danger of the blaze fanning out to heavily populated urban centres including Nainital city.

What causes forest fires?

Nearly 95 per cent of forest fires in the country, including in Uttarakhand, are initiated by human activities. Historically, the accumulation of pine needles on the forest floor during the summer months was the main reason for the fires in the Himalayan season. Some of the combustion is necessary for the forest to regenerate — the burning of litter promotes the growth of fresh grasses. However, the ecological beneficial activity of the past has assumed a severely destructive character in recent years.

Causes of the natural forest fire:

• Lightning
• Spontaneous combustion of dry vegetation
• Volcanic activities

Causes of man-made forest fires:

• Carelessness while Smoking or using mosquito coil or candles or camp-fires
• Arson or intentional
• Tribal ritual/tradition

Impacts of Forest fire :

• burning forests intensify heat and lead to black carbon emissions
• adversely affecting water systems and air quality.
• aggravating climate crisis.
• adversely impacting ecology

History of Forest fire  :

• One of the largest forest fires in the history happened in 1825 in Canada, which burnt 3 million acres of forest.

• The Thomas fire which occurred in December 2017 in Southern California burned down 2.8 lac acres of forest and is another largest wildfire in the modern history.
• The recent Theni Forest fire in Tamil Nadu which has claimed the lives of 20 people (as on 23rd March 2018) and severely injured many, has brought us to one of the most dreadful challenges – Forest Fire.
• Bandipur forest fire in 2017, destroyed more than 1000 hectares and also claimed the life of a forest guard.

What need to be done?

• Educate people and create awareness about forest fires.
• Fire detection system and watch towers and network for communication
• Patrolling by the forest department
• Strict approvals and warnings for those using the forest for adventure activities
• It also requires a diverse range of experts eg ecologists, climate scientists, geologists, fire safety and disaster management professionalsto put their heads together

Administrators will have to find ways to secure the support of communities.