Wildfire

Forests serve as a home for few and a source for creating homes for others. They existed long before the discovery of mankind and can be traced back over 400 million years. The densest forests have been depleted due to overgrazing, extensive urban development, and numerous projects, including dam construction. Additionally, forest fires pose a significant threat; these naturally occurring events are greatly influenced by human activities. An increase in carbon emissions leads to drier weather and elevated temperatures. Rising temperatures cause leaves to shed quickly, creating a dry environment that is conducive to forest fires. More forest fires result in higher carbon emissions, perpetuating a continuous cycle. Reports indicate that approximately 8,64,86,883 (eight crores sixty-four lakhs eight hundred and eighty-three) acres of forest are reduced to ashes annually due to forest fires. This figure is equivalent to 6,31,29,112 (six crores thirty-one lakh twenty-nine thousand one hundred and twelve) football fields or 13,72,807 (thirteen lakh seventy-two thousand eight hundred and seven) NAMO stadium, commonly known as the Motera Stadium in Gujarat (cricket stadium).

The LA (Los Angeles) fire exemplifies how climate change can lead to such massive wildfires. Annual reports consistently show that major forest fires worldwide, including those in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, are caused by climate change. The Forest Survey of India suggests that 50% of Indian forests are susceptible to forest fires, with human activities accounting for 95% of these incidents. Various factors contribute to forest fires, including unattended campfires, high temperatures, excessive accumulation of pine needles, stone rubbing, and lightning, among others.

A forest fire devastates the entire forest ecosystem. It destroys habitats, causing wildlife to migrate, which in turn disturbs the ecosystems they inhabit. The new ecosystems experience significant changes and struggle to adapt before eventually stabilising. Flora and fauna suffer tremendously during forest fires, as the once vibrant landscapes are reduced to ashes. Birds perish from suffocation, and the flames may spread to nearby areas, consuming homes as well.

Most forest fires result from inadequate and erratic rainfall. Precipitation is crucial for the growth of flora and fauna in affected areas. This issue is evident globally, with many countries experiencing rainfall deficits or, in some cases, no rainfall at all. Such was the case with the LA forest fire, where the previous 20 years had seen irregular rainfall. In 2022-2023, however, the area experienced its best rainfall in two decades, leading to rapid growth of flora and fauna. Unfortunately, 2024 witnessed irregular rainfall once more, resulting in the drying of newly sprouted trees and shrubs. These dry conditions, coupled with strong winds, allowed the fire to grow significantly and spread rapidly, devastating everything in its path, including homes, trees, and vehicles. These conditions that precede a forest fire are common in any country susceptible to such disasters. India, with its vast forest reserves, is particularly vulnerable to forest fires, facing erratic rainfall and soaring temperatures each year. Strong winds or the slightest human error can trigger catastrophic fires similar to those in LA.

To safeguard our forests from fires, it is vital to adopt new techniques that have proven effective globally, especially in combating forest fires;

1. Fire Breaks are strategic gaps between the forests to prevent the fire from spreading. The whole idea here is to have large or small gaps between the forests to break in case of fire. The fire breaks are not defined regarding their size and other rules of procedure it is all subjective. Each forest type has a different way of breaking fire; the larger forests require larger fire breaks, and vice versa. By doing this, we can have control over the travel of the forest fire as the gaps are made as per our will, and the fire will have to follow such a prescribed path.

2. Prescribed burning method, where the possible fueling agents are removed. The whole idea here is to remove all those small agents which help in the continued growth of the wildfire. These small agents fuel the fire and keep it ignited, which results in more and more destruction. Burning all the small agents, which in future may help the forest fire to spread, will reduce the chance of fire spreading to other parts of the forest.

3. Madhubani Painting, though this may sound strange, is one of the most effective ways followed in India to protect trees from getting cut down. Overdevelopment, excessive farming, deforestation, cutting down forests for agricultural purposes, etc., cause a forest fire- like situation as the Eco-system takes a hit, and to keep things normal and at the status quo, we shall protect TREES from getting cut down as well as PLANT more trees. Madhubani paintings are painted on the trees, which are paintings of the Hindu deities whose fear has stopped many Indians from cutting down the trees.

In conclusion, forests play an essential part in our life. From things we eat to bed we sleep on, every product is of forest. It is our utmost responsibility to protect forests, and it’s an extra responsibility of the government to make efficient laws to protect forests from such fires. Forest fires are inevitable, their impact is something we can work control so this blog is just a fact check on the overall damage caused by forest fires. Let the nature be in its original form and lets make our best efforts to protect our forests.