Forest Fires in South America's Shocking Impact on Climate Change

Forest Fires are as old as the forests themselves. They pose a threat not only to the forest wealth but also to the entire regime to fauna and flora seriously disturbing the bio-diversity and the ecology and environment of a region.

Highlight

Satellite data analysed by Brazil’s space research agency INPE has spotted 346,112 fire hotspots so far this year in all 13 countries of South America. Fires have ravaged the Amazon rainforest, engulfing parts of Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, and others.

Causes of Forest Fire

Forest fires are caused by Natural causes as well as Anthropogenic causes:

Natural causes: Many forest fires start from natural causes such as lightning which set trees on fire. However, rain extinguishes such fires without causing much damage. High atmospheric temperatures and dryness (low humidity) offer favorable circumstance for a fire to start.

Anthropogenic causes: Fire is caused when a source of fire like naked flame, cigarette or bidi, electric spark or any source of ignition comes into contact with inflammable material.

Vulnerability:

► The youngest mountain ranges of Himalayas are the most vulnerable stretches of the world prone to forest fires.

► The forests of Western Ghats are more frequently vulnerable to forest fires as compared to those in Eastern Himalayas. This is because forests of Eastern Himalayas grow in high rain density.

► With large scale expansion of chirr (Pine) forests (inflammable needles and resin-filled cones that catch fire easily) in many areas of the Himalayas the frequency and intensity of forest fires has increased.

Global Scenario

Wildfires in 2023 were the worst on record, with nearly 12 million hectares burned, which is about 24% more than the previous record. Canada experienced the worst wildfires, accounting for 65% of the fire-driven tree cover loss globally. Greece also experienced the largest wildfire in the European Union to date.
The area burned by forest fires has increased by about 5.4% per year since 2001. Fires now account for about 33% of all tree cover loss, up from about 20% in 2001.
Every year, South America witnesses a high number of blazes between August and October.
Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia being worst affected.
In Brazil, about 59% of the country is facing drought conditions and Amazon basin rivers are flowing at historic lows.

Mitigation Measures

Precautions

To keep the source of fire or source of ignition separated from combustible and inflammable material.
To keep the source of fire under watch and control.
Not allow combustible or inflammable material to pile up unnecessarily and to stock the same as per procedure recommended for safe storage of such combustible or inflammable material.
To adopt safe practices in areas near forests viz. factories, coalmines, oil stores, chemical plants and even in household kitchens.
To incorporate fire reducing and fire fighting techniques and equipment.

Forest Fires in India: Key Points (ISFR)

Prone Forest Types:

Severe fires mainly occur in dry deciduous forests; evergreen, semi-evergreen, and montane temperate forests are less prone to fires (ISFR 2015).
Over 36% of India’s forest cover is prone to frequent forest fires.
7% of forest cover is extremely fire-prone
6% is very highly fire-prone (SFR 2019).
The forest fire season in India typically lasts from November to June.
Majority of fires are caused by man-made factors.

Technological Interventions:

Use of satellite-based detection, real-time fire alerts, early warning systems, and tracking of large fires for timely prevention and control.
Post-Fire Recovery: The plan also emphasizes the need for quick recovery after forest fires to mitigate long-term damage.

National Action Plan on Forest Fires (NAPFF):

Launched in 2018 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to revamp forest fire management.
Objective is to minimize forest fires by empowering forest fringe communities and incentivizing collaboration with State Forest Departments (SFDs).

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