Why in the news?

Forest fires have been ongoing in the Coonoor forest range of the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu for the past week.

Context:

The Indian Air Force has recently joined the firefighting operations led by the state forest department.
- A Mi-17 V5 helicopter has been deployed to conduct numerous Bambi Bucket operations, delivering approximately 16,000 liters of water to extinguish the fires.

What are Forest Fires/Wildfires?

Forest fires, also known as wildfires, are uncontrolled fires that occur in forests, grasslands, or other wild areas. These fires can spread rapidly, fueled by dry vegetation, high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds.

There are three types of Forest Fires:

Surface Fires: These fires burn along the forest floor, consuming vegetation and leaf litter. Surface fires are typically less intense and move relatively slowly compared to other types of wildfires. They are often caused by natural factors like lightning strikes or human activities such as campfires.
Ground Fires: Ground fires occur beneath the surface of the forest floor, burning through layers of organic matter like peat and roots. These fires can smolder for extended periods, producing significant heat and damage to the soil. Ground fires are often difficult to detect and extinguish, posing a long-term threat to forest ecosystems.
Crown Fires: Crown fires are the most severe type of wildfire, burning through the upper canopy of trees. These fires spread rapidly, driven by strong winds and dry conditions, and can cause extensive damage to forested areas. Crown fires are challenging to control and extinguish, posing significant risks to both property and lives.

What is the frequency of Forest Fires in India?

Period of Fires in India–

- - April-May are usually the worst fire months across the country.
  - June to November is considered to be forest fire season in India, with hundreds of thousands of small and large fires burning every year.

Affected areas in India-

- - According to the 2019 India State of Forest Report (ISFR) published by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, over 36% of India’s forest cover was susceptible to frequent fires.
  - Approximately 4% of the forest cover was categorized as extremely prone to fire, while an additional 6% was classified as very highly fire-prone.

Most Forest Fire Regions-

- As per the FSI, dry deciduous forests are more susceptible to severe fires, whereas evergreen, semi-evergreen, and montane temperate forests exhibit lower susceptibility to fires.
- Northeast India, Odisha, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Uttarakhand are identified as the regions most susceptible to forest fires
- During March 2023, extensive bushfires erupted in Goa, prompting an inquiry into their possible human origins.
- In 2021, a series of forest fires occurred in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, the Nagaland-Manipur border, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, encompassing several wildlife sanctuaries.

Incidents of Forest Fires in 2024

- During the past week, Mizoram reported the highest number of forest fires, totaling 3,738, followed by Manipur with 1,702, Assam with 1,652, Meghalaya with 1,252, and Maharashtra with 1,215.

Forest fires have been increasing since early March along the:

- Konkan belt in Maharashtra,
- South-coastal Gujarat along Gir Somnath and Porbandar,
- Southern Rajasthan and adjoining south-western districts of Madhya Pradesh,
- Coastal and interior Odisha, and adjoining Jharkhand.
Forest Fires in South India– Certain forest areas in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are susceptible to fires.
- However, as per the FSI, forests in southern India, characterized by mainly evergreen or semi-evergreen vegetation, are relatively less prone to fires. Nonetheless, Tamil Nadu has witnessed wildfires in its forests in recent years.

What are the reasons behind Forest Fires in 2024?

Highest Temperature: February 2024 was exceptionally hot over Southern India, the hottest since 1901, with January ranking as the fifth warmest in over a century.
Early build-up of heat load: Recorded maximum, minimum, and mean temperatures have remained above normal over the southern states for the past two months, leading to an early build-up of heat load in the region well before the onset of the summer season.
Excess Heat Factor (EHF): The IMD has warned of the significantly higher-than-normal prevalence of EHF over western Andhra Pradesh and neighboring Karnataka. EHF predicts the likelihood of a heatwave over a region, with maximum temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius, unusual for mid-March.
Mild Aridity: In the absence of rain and prevailing high temperatures, the IMD has classified almost all districts of southern India under mild aridity.
Climatic Conditions: High aridity, above-normal day temperatures, clear sky conditions, and calm winds during the early phase of the summer season contribute to the spike in forest fire incidents in southern India this year.

Suggestive measures to address Forest Fires:

Prevention: Implementing fire prevention measures such as creating firebreaks, clearing vegetation around vulnerable areas, and enforcing restrictions on activities that can cause fires.
Early Detection: Installing and maintaining fire detection systems including lookout towers, satellite monitoring, and automated sensors to detect fires early. And Training and equipping forest rangers and firefighters with the skills and tools needed to identify and report fires promptly.
Rapid Response: Establishing communication networks to coordinate response efforts among firefighting agencies, emergency services, and other stakeholders. Strategies Pre-positioning firefighting equipment and resources in strategic locations to facilitate rapid deployment.

Conclusion: Forest fires, prevalent in India, pose significant threats to ecosystems and communities. Climatic factors exacerbate the situation. Urgent measures including prevention, early detection, and rapid response are essential to mitigate these risks and safeguard our forests.

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