What do we know about forest fire condition in India?
Forest fire has profound impacts on atmospheric chemistry, biogeochemical cycling and ecosystem structure. This feedback interaction may be hastened in climate change scenarios. In view of this, the present day knowledge about the forest fire condition in India has been reviewed.
What is the history of forest fire alert system in India?
Using satellit e detection, the forest fire alert system was first introduced in India in 2007 - 2008. Madhya Pradesh ( Central Cluster) pioneered through SMS text alerts (FAMS). After undergoing a si gnificant number of year 2019. This system is based on collaborative arrangements between NASA - Survey of India) (Forest Survey of India, 2011a).
What is the law of forest fire prevention in India?
India has a strong legal and institutional arrangement for forest fire prevention and management. The national laws strictly forbid setting fire in forests. As per, sections 26 and 33 of the Indian Forest Act of 1927 it is a criminal offense to burn or to allow a fire to remain burning in reserved and protected forests.
What are the effects of forest fires in Uttarakhand?
The frequency and severity of forest fires are anticipated to have a significant impact on the characteristics of tropical forests. The forest areas in Uttarakhand are often affected by fires results in a high ecological loss. Identification of forest fire hotspot areas and related management is a prerequisite of forest fire management.
What is the major cause of forest fires in India?
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.
What are the 4 major causes of forest fires?
Human-caused fires result from campfires left unattended, the burning of debris, equipment use and malfunctions, negligently discarded cigarettes, and intentional acts of arson. Lightning is one of the two natural causes of fires.
What is forest fire and its effects?
Forest fires increase carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect and climate change. In addition, ashes destroy much of the nutrients and erode the soil, causing flooding and landslides.
What are the 3 biggest causes of forest fires?
Below, we will address some of the many ways that human actions result in devastating wildfires.Burning Debris. One of the most common causes of wildfires is burning debris. ... Irresponsible Campfires. ... Unextinguished Cigarettes. ... Vehicle Crashes and Malfunctions. ... Arson. ... Lightning. ... Lava.
What are the types of forest fire?
There are three basic types of wildfires:Crown fires burn trees up their entire length to the top. ... Surface fires burn only surface litter and duff. ... Ground fires (sometimes called underground or subsurface fires) occur in deep accumulations of humus, peat and similar dead vegetation that become dry enough to burn.
How can we prevent forest fires in India?
FOREST FIRE CONTROL IN INDIAPrevent fires by educating the people about the same and increasing people participation in Joint Forest Fire Management.Early detection and warning system through a well-co-ordinated system of observation points, efficient ground patrolling and communication network.More items...•
What is forest fire prevention?
clearing up the working place from any flammables 10 to 25 feet around; avoiding the use of heating and spark-producing equipment near dried-up vegetation; restraining from working with potentially dangerous equipment in dry and windy weather; providing fire-extinguishing equipment for wildfire prevention concerns.
How do forest fires start?
Wildfires do sometimes occur naturally, either ignited by the sun's heat or a lightning strike. However, most wildfires are caused by human activities, including unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes, arson and more. “Human carelessness is the biggest factor contributing to wildfires,” Roise said.
What are causes of fire?
ZURICH MUNICIPAL | Most common causes of fire. Most common causes of house fires… ... Cooking Equipment. When a pot or pan overheats or splatters greases, it can take seconds to cause a fire. ... Heating Equipment. ... Careless Smoking. ... Electrical Equipment. ... Candles. ... Children Playing with Fire. ... Inadequate Wiring.More items...
Where are forest fires most common?
More wildfires occur in the East (including the central states), but the wildfires in the West are larger and burn more acreage (including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming).
What caused forest fires naturally?
Naturally occurring wildfires are most frequently caused by lightning. There are also volcanic, meteor, and coal seam fires, depending on the circumstance. Human caused wildfires can be accidental, intentional (arson) or from an act of negligence.
How many forest fires are there in 2020?
2020: 58,950 fires affecting 10,122,336 acres. 2019: 50,477 fires affecting 4,664,364 acres.
Why are forest fires a global issue?
Forest fires have been a local issue with global impact, which may happen more frequently than the recent past due to impact of rising temperature and global warming. Most of the forest fires in Indian States are anthropogenic in nature. Changes in the attitudes and actions of individuals, stakeholder groups, the private sector, and governments are required for action and implementation of sustainable forest fire prevention policies. Prevention of forest fire will require long term coordinated efforts by public and private authorities with robust planning and informed policy implementation.
How does fire affect the forest ecosystem?
Fire has been a major influencing factor on the development and management of many of the world's forests. Some forest ecosystems have evolved in response to frequent fires from natural causes, but most others are susceptible to the effects of wild fire. Forest fire may be defined as an unclosed and freely spreading combustion that consumes the natural fuels. When a fire burns out of control it is known as Wild Fire1.
What are the methods of forest management in India?
The most common methods of prevention employed by forest departments in India include the clearance of fire lines and conducting controlled burning to limit fuel loads. Other methods may include silvicultural practices such as selective thinning and planting fire-adapted tree species in fire-prone areas.
When was the Forest Survey of India developed?
The Forest Survey of India developed in 2016, an indigenous “Early Warning Alert System for Forest Fire”. The alerts to State Forest departments are based on parameters like Forest Cover, Forest Type, and Climatic Variables (Temperature and Rainfall).
How many acres of forest were burned in California?
Forest Fires engulfed large tracts of forest in the USA, Australia, Siberia, and the Amazon. The California wildfire season was overwhelming with more than 2,59,823 acres burnt and costing about $80 billion in damage and economic losses.
How many people died in the San Francisco fires?
6 The fires burnt an estimated 18.6 million hectares destroyed over 5,900 buildings (including 2,779 homes) and killed at least 34 people. An estimated one billion animals have been killed and some endangered species may be driven to extinction. At its peak, air quality dropped to hazardous levels.
How many forest fires are there in the Amazon?
The Amazon saw more than 80,000 forest fire episodes this year, an increase of 75% from 2018 (The Verge, 2019). Many of these fires have been attributed to people and companies clearing land predominantly for beef and soy farming.
What is a defensible space?
Defensible space around structures means flammable fuels like leaf piles, unmown dry grass, lawnmowers and gas, lawn furniture, propane tanks, and wood piles, leaves and needles in the gutters and on the roof, and flammable trees too near the home are removed or stored in more appropriate places.
What is a local resilience forum?
Local Resilience Forums are multi-agency, consisting of Category 1 responders in a Police Area (emergency services, including Fire Authorities), Category 2 responders including Local Authorities, the Health and Safety Executive, Environment Agency, as well as invited groups. Their duty is to ‘plan, assess and .
What is the most fire prone region in India?
Western Himalaya is one the most forest fire prone parts of India (Dobriyal and Bijalwan, 2017). The main forest types of this region are alpine, semi-evergreen, subtropical broadleaf subtropical pine forests and subtropical montane temperate forests. ...
What are the different types of forest in the Himalayas?
Western Himalayas comprised different forest types from alpine forests to semi-evergreen, deciduous, sub-tropical broad-leaved hill forests, sub-tropical pine forests and sub-tropical montane temperate forests. Geographically it extends to J & K, HP, UK and hill part of Punjab & Haryana dominated by coniferous forest of chir pine. In UK and HP major fires have been noted in 1911, 1921, 1930, 1931, 1939, 1945, 1953, 1954, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1995, 1999, 2010, 2012 and 2016. Forest fires cause wide ranging adverse ecological, economic and social impacts. The major reasons of forest fire in the hilly region are high fire fuel material of dry Chirpine needles and dry leaf litter of other board leaved trees on the forest floor as Chirpine covers a significant (about16%) area under forest and every year encroaching the mixed species area due its hardy dominating nature as well as ban on green felling above 1000 mts elevation. There is scope to make the local community, NGOs, Community Based Organizations (CBOs) completely involved in the system to minimize the fire hazards. Van Panchayat is a unique model in the state of UK effectively managing forest since a long time but forest communities needs capacity building and to be acquainted with modern methods to combat forest fires. To convert the fire hazard Chirpine needle as a resource (raw material) for different uses through creation of Forest Self-Help Groups (FSHGs) or Forest Special purpose Vehicle (FSPV) with industrial linkage for its removal with the help of villagers to make the bio-briquette, compost or vermicompost, composite boards, panels and tiles etc. To check the spread of fire a proper fire Forecasting & warning system, modern fire fighting techniques for Early Forest Fire Detection Using Radio-Acoustic Sounding System, Doppler RADAR etc seem to be reasonable option. The awareness among local people and participatory approach or JFM committees can be a better solution. Further, Forest insurance policy (fire) can be an option for at least valuable forests by GOI and other measures suggested in the paper for forest fire control and management in western Himalaya.